IT wasn’t until recently that Hawkesbury heritage architect Graham Edds, who has been chairman of the National Trust’s Norman Lindsay Advisory Committee for more than 20 years, found he had a close family connection to the loved artist.
His grandmother’s great friend Ivy Lloyd, whom he had called aunty, had looked after Norman when he was failing near the end, but all the family members had died by the time he found out so he couldn’t get more detail.
Now Mr Edds’ huge contribution to the history body has been recognised by the National Trust of Australia (NSW).
At its AGM at the S.H. Ervin Gallery at Millers Point on Saturday, November 25, Mr Edds was presented with Honorary Life Membership, only given to two people a year.
Mr Edds was a member of the Blue Mountains Branch National Trust executive committee from 1991, then joined the Normal Lindsay Advisory Committee in 1994. He is still chairman.
He chaired the steering committee for the Norman Lindsay Gallery Federation Fund grant in 1999 - 2001 which secured the funding to acqure Norman’s etching studio
He chaired the Woodford Academy Ideas Committee in 1992, has been an active contributor to the Hawkesbury branch of the National Trust since 2000 and has been a strong advocate for the protection of Thompson Square.
His wife Carol said she was “extremely proud”.
