The Story

The Gertrude Association was founded in 2007 by Monique McNamara and Kym Ortenburg .Monique has run her business on Gertrude St (located at 69 Gertrude St) since 2000.

Kym lives and works in Fitzroy

Monique had a creative community project brewing for many a year in response to the changes on the street and the demographic of the area.

Kym wanted to project holograms in the laneways.

Ideas collided and collaborated. Together they decided to make it happen.

On 17th April 2007, out of their love for Gertrude St, the collaborative partnership between Monique McNamara, (Creative Strategist, Producer and Director of UP&UP Creative) and Kym Ortenburg (Producer, Director and local resident) began.

And they formed the Gertrude Association with a heady fusion of passion and ethos; drive and commitment to produce culturally engaging, inclusive, sustainable community art projects.

TGA: The Gertrude Association - Understanding place and self

Ethos

We get stuff done.

We are into action and doing through creative collaboration for social change.

Who

We are a not for profit, incorporated Association.

We produce projects expressed by our community.

What

We are about advocacy and connections through art - celebrating cultural, social and artistic diversity to create community connectedness.

We act locally to provide inspiration and create a global impact through sharing what we have done in Melbourne with the world. We call this process of integrating community, celebration and art "To Gertrufy".

Where

The Association was inspired and created by the community on Gertrude Street Fitzroy, in Melbourne, Australia.

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How

In 'Gertrufying'.  Through 'Gertrufication'. By 'Gertrufying'. We 'Gertrufy'.

To Gertrufy // the celebration of cultural, social and artistic diversity and community connectedness.
Gertrufication // gert-ru-fi-ca-tion adj. process Gertrufy [ge] v. [Gertrufies, Getrufied] derivatives Gertrufication noun

Aim

• To produce projects expressed by our community
• To provide an opportunity for diverse communities to engage in and exhibit arts and media projects
• To enhance community connectedness.
• We would like to see the spirit of 'Gertrufication' spread to other cities, towns and communities

Objectives

1. To help promote a neighbourly and cohesive community
2. To provide opportunities for people to encounter art as part of their everyday experience
3. To promote inclusive cultural respect
4. To produce interconnected projects that raise awareness of issues, profiles and creative talents
5. To show support to our community