MECC's good Friends honoured

SEVEN long-standing Friends of the MECC have been granted honorary life membership for their many years of voluntary service at the theatre.

Joyce Bradley, Bonnie and Brian Hull, Elspit Mulherin, Ken McKerihan, Betty Shaw and Marcia Thorning were presented with badges by Friends patron Barry Porter.

The presentations were made at a barbecue 'thank you' function hosted by the theatre management in the Spiegeltent, a tent which has been set up outside the MECC for the duration of the Mackay Festival of Arts.

Friends president Colleen Farry and vice president Jann Simpson also presented the seven with certificates outlining their service, which in some cases dates back to before the theatre opened in 1988.

"These seven Friends have backgrounds as diverse as the shows that appear at the MECC,” Colleen said.

"The seven who received this recognition on Saturday also carried out normal duties as Friends of the MECC. They do training each year, and some were also committee members over the years. "

The Friends of the MECC is a volunteer group which was formed in 1987, prior to the opening of the theatre in 1988.

Friends history

Joyce Bradley helped to vacuum the carpets before the official opening then again after the opening ready for the next evening way back in 1988. More recently she wrote the History of the Friends and this is available to read in the Friends' Room.

Bonnie Hull's involvement with the Friends goes back to 1987 when the director John Young was working from the council offices and he was talking about the formation of a Friends organisation.

One year she helped with the training when the manager was unexpectedly called away. Bonnie looks after repairs to vests and ties.

Brian Hull was on the committee and was president for many years. During this time along with the vice-president Elspit Mulherin they were tasked with getting quotes and spending many hours choosing fabrics for new vests so they were ready for the opening of the Convention Centre. These vests were made locally.

Elspit Mulherin is the Friends' only O.A.M. recipient and among her deeds on the citation was the work she did as a volunteer at the MECC. Elspit has also served as president and vice president over the years. She has a wealth of knowledge regarding the Friends.

Ken McKerihan worked a lot behind the scenes - backstage with the technical staff. He was a "Mr.Fixit” - doors that sagged or latches that would not latch which he often noticed before anyone else.

Betty Shaw endeared herself to staff and friends with her chocolate cakes or scones at just the right moment. Her late husband Jack also spent time building and fixing things backstage so Betty soon learnt who liked what and who was having a birthday.

Marcia Thorning's talents went into making 40 booster cushions for theatre and last year she recovered them with new fabric and replaced ones that were lost. She also took them home each year and washed the covers. The staff would call her up if curtains or seat upholstery needed repair.