MAMA acknowledges the passing of Dr Audray Banfield AM

We are deeply saddened to acknowledge the passing of Dr Audray Banfield AM, a beloved leader who shaped the arts in Albury. Audrey was the first Director of the Albury Regional Art Gallery, a role she held for 25 years, building the foundations for the future Murray Art Museum Albury.

Following a 12-year tenure as inaugural Director of Benalla Art Gallery, Audray took up her role in Albury in 1980 and transformed the empty Town Hall building into the city’s first public art gallery and permanent home to its collection, opening in 1981. She played a pivotal role in reshaping the AlburyCity art collection, focusing on contemporary art and photography, leading to the creation of the National Photography Prize.

Audray’s determination to build a public institution committed to excellence, its community and the support of artists regionally and nationally continues to be inspirational to many.

Audray served on numerous arts sector boards, foundations and advisory committees, including the Regional Galleries Association of New South Wales, the NSW Ministerial Cultural Council, the National Council of Museums of Australia, Flying Fruit Fly Circus Foundation and Hothouse Theatre. Audray was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993, received Awards of Excellence from Albury City in 1990 and 2000 and received a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) from Charles Sturt University in 2001.

MAMA Art Foundation Chair Tony Smith said, “Audray spent most of her professional life establishing, directing and philosophically guiding the Albury Regional Art Gallery. She displayed diligence and determination in implementing her goals. In addition, Audray was an active advocate for the arts in the wider regional community. The dedication and ability she showed earnt her respect from many supporters, which benefited the Galley directly and indirectly. They included Margaret Carnegie, Gordon Darling, Justice Jack Nagel and Ruth Whyte. Audray displayed visionary judgement in selecting photography as the Gallery’s main collection strand and playing a key role in establishing the Gallery’s Art Foundation.”

MAMA CEO Blair French said, “I became aware of Audray’s reputation as a visionary gallery director with an enormous commitment to Australian photography almost as soon as I began working in Australia in the 1990s. It was an honour to be invited by Audray to come and speak at Albury Regional Art Gallery for the first time in 2001. She was a wonderfully engaging and welcoming host. Her energy was infectious. It was equally a privilege for all of us at MAMA to welcome Audray back into the Museum this August for a tour of the National Photography Prize. She looked at and talked about just about every work in the building that day.”

We are forever grateful for Audrey’s contributions, and her presence will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and the arts community during this time