Writer and author Alan Marshall is associated with Eltham, as well as our very own Eltham Library via the portrait by Alan Martin and as the subject of the welcoming statue outside the Library by local artist Marcus Skipper. The Alan Marshall Short Story Award was inaugurated by the Shire of Eltham in 1985.
Described in the Australian Dictionary of Biography as a writer and a humanist, he is best known for his autobiographical memoir I can Jump Puddles. First published in 1955, this work still stands up. He describes in detail the experience of having polio and his attitude to be as normal as he can and to overcome his adversity from learning to swim and ride a horse. Alan was born in 1902 so his memoir also reflects the era, including societal attitudes in which he lived.
Alan Marshall (1902-1984) went on to become an accomplished and well-known author and writer, living part of his life locally. In 1971, together with the Shire of Eltham he published Pioneers and Painters: 100 Years of Eltham and its Shire as part of the Shire’s centenary celebrations.
Around the same time as his most famous book was published Alan Martin painted Marshall.
Painting - Alan Martin (b.1923 - d.1989 AUS), Portrait of Alan Marshall, 1956
The large painting remains a significant item in the Nillumbik Shire Council Art Collection which consists of over 500 works of art of contemporary and historical interest.
Alan Martin (1923-1989) studied under Max Meldrum, at the National Gallery School and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. He later established his own art school. He has won several prizes and is represented in several collections. Nillumbik Shire Council owns several, including some inherited from the Shire of Eltham. These include the painting of Alan Marshall which has for many years hung in Eltham Library which was opened in May 1994. It is believed that the painting has been in the collection since 1992.
In 1956 the oil painting was a finalist in the acclaimed competition for Portraiture – the Archibald Prize.
Welcome back
The Shire of Nillumbik recently organised conservation and restoration of the much loved work. It has now returned to the library and an event to celebrate its return and the recent refurbishment at Eltham library will take place on Thursday September 28, 6.00pm – 8.00pm.
All welcome.
