Thirty years ago, Nora McIntosh, Margaret Sharpe, Beverley Brittain-George and Jane Toohey were part of a local committee that formed a branch of the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society in the Shoalhaven.

Current and past members are indebted to them as their initiative has created many learning and socialising opportunities for people with an interest in the arts.

In 2020 there will be a celebration of the first lectures.

The Society hosts a series of Thursday evening lectures. The lecturers, from overseas and Australia, are all experts in their fields and experienced speakers.

On two Fridays each year, a series of lectures are also held where topics can be studied more extensively.

Suppers in the evenings and morning teas and lunches on the days provide opportunities for mixing with other like-minded people.

Through its Youth Arts Program the Society promotes the arts by providing funds to individuals or organisations in the local community. The Berry School of Arts has been home to the Society for the thirty years.

The Society's new committee was introduced on the evening.

They are now busy planning an exciting and varied program for 2020, with lectures including Renaissance Italian Villas and Gardens and their Afterlives, The Foundations of Fashion (the story of underwear) and The Age of Jazz.

New members are always welcome, or if unable to commit to a membership, you can attend individual lectures with payment at the door.

Information on the Society can be found at adfas.org.au/shoalhaven. The 2020 program will be on the website later in the year. Contact shoalhaven@adfas.org.au with questions or to request a 2020 email brochure.