When Brian and Jeanette Lambert and their family announced that they could no longer support the large financial annual donation that they had provided for forty five years to the Katherine Prize, a local business family stepped forward to ensure that The Prize will continue to maintain its status as the longest running art prize in the Territory.

The chairperson Toni Tapp Coutts said, ‘It is with a little sadness we see the Lambert family finally withdraw from financing the Katherine Art Prize but we deeply appreciate their commitment of 45 years. It is a phenomenal prize. The Lambert family have created an amazing legacy for the NT arts community and we are thrilled that Geoff and Julie Newton have stepped up to provide the first prize pool for the next five years.‘

The Newton family who own both The Top Saddlery and Leisure & Lace have committed to five years of supporting The Prize and will sign an MOU with Godinymayin Yjard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre to support the cost of the first prize for the next five years.

Geoff Newton said, “Arts and Crafts have been an interest of mine for many years. I have a particular passion for watercolours but find it a challenge finding enough time to devote to creating many of my own.  In recent years we have purchased a number of works by local artists and we jumped at the opportunity to encourage the local arts community more by sponsoring the Katherine Prize. We feel the Katherine Prize is a very worthwhile part of the local art’s scene as it encourages entrants at all levels and in a wide range of media, to show their work”

The former Chairperson of fourteen years Craig Lambert said,

‘The Lambert family is very moved to have the gallery named after them. It was an emotional time for my parents Brian and Jeannette and our family. We are honoured and proud to have been able to contribute to the arts community in Katherine and we are thrilled to know that a local business owners Geoff and Julie Newton will take up the mantle to ensure the Katherine Prize remains the longest running art prize in the NT.’

Toni Tapp Coutts said.  ‘The Godinymayin Centre is proud to be the home of the most prestigious and longest running art prize in the Territory. We thank aspiring artist, businessman and saddler extraordinaire Geoff Newton and his wife Julie for their commitment and financial contribution and look forward to the next five years of taking the prize into a new era.’

TONI TAPP COUTTS