b'5Garys father, Roy Morgan, born at Malvern in 1908 and educated at Brighton Grammar and Melbourne Grammar, also passionate about his hometown, was elected to the City of Melbourne Council in 1959, chaired the town planning committee, and was involved in negotiations that led to the development of the City Square. He was a councillor until 1974. In the 1940s, he had established what became the best-known market research company in Australia, which was taken over in the 1960s by Gary, who continues as Executive Chairman of the company to this day.Driven by their shared enthusiasm for Australian creativity and symbology, Gary and Genevieve have always sought to furnish their homes and workplaces with the work of Australian artists and artisans. They have lived in several Victorian-era homes, all of which have accommodated their ever-growing collection. As they acquired more piecesGary would say they rescued themthe Morgans have generously loaned some of their pieces to various museums, libraries and other institutions so that they could be more widely appreciated. For example, their collection of the works of Nicholas Chevalier was recently displayed in the East Melbourne Public Library and some of their large collection of Early Melbourne Paintings are on display at the Old Treasury Building in Spring Street.In this first catalogue of selections from the collection, we are delighted to present the wonderful pieces you will see and read about in the coming pages. The wide range of pottery that begins the auction illustrates the many creative approaches Australian potters have brought to this ancient craft: the early output of Bendigo Pottery, the eccentricity of V.A.P., the artistry of Merric Boyd and the whimsy of Grace Seccombe are all well represented. Other notable inclusions are Castle Harris, Marguerite Mahood, Philippa James, William Ricketts and Klytie Pate. The section continues into the 1950s and 60s with works by Allan Lowe, Arthur Boyd and Deborah Halpern, amongst others, truly a wonderful selection.The catalogue continues with a selection of furniture including some of the earliest pieces created in New South Wales and Tasmania in the 1820s and 30s. Andrew Lenehan gets a look-in as do Rocke & Co. and Altmann & Lindsay. Their practical creations give way to the beautifully embellished works of art created by Robert Prenzel, Rudolph Unger and John Blogg among the other wood carvers represented in this catalogue. All of them have left their mark and their works are keenly sought-after by museums and galleries. A small but impressive range of jewellery is followed by some wonderful paintings including an exceptional original watercolour by John Lewin, a superb view of the Upper Yarra by Charles Rolando, a 1916 superb self portrait by Constance Tempe Manning and an important Clifton Pugh painting of his son.Of course, theres plenty more to see but dont miss the two gold nuggets hidden in the catalogue. One of Garys other passions is his involvement in gold. These two raw nuggets are spectacular examples from his mines in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.We hope you enjoy the catalogue, and we look forward to welcoming you during the viewing in The Gallery, Tonic House, 386 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.'