Gail Dudeck

The following biography formed part of the documentation submitted in support of Gail Dudeck's nomination to the Victorian Honour Roll for Women in 2001 and is reproduced here for historical reference.

Bom in 1941, the beginning of the new millennium, 2001 is the beginning of Gail Dudeck’s Golden decade.  She is a perfect example of what can be achieved by a woman while continuing to perform the nurturing role of wife and Mother to her husband, two sons and daughter.

Gail was born in Papua New Guinea and her family escaped immediately prior to the Japanese invasion and relocated to Victoria. Her education culminated in being chosen as the recipient of the Australian Repertory Players Scholarship in 1959. She studied at the Pilgrim Theatre, Melbourne for three years during which time she also took on an Accelerated Traineeship with Myer where she was groomed with a view to becoming involved in the promotions area.  Myer trained her in fashion co-ordination, advertising, garment selection and catwalk management which ultimately led to her comparing Fashion Parades in the legendary Myer Mural Hall and freelance Fashion Parade comparing for the best of Melbourne’s modelling agencies.

Marriage led to her relocating to Europe from 1962 to 1975, maintaining her Australian links by writing for Woman’s Day as one of their European Fashion reporters.

Returning to Victoria and ultimately to Myer, the chance was there to again go into the promotional area, becoming involved in Fashions of the Field, the Miss Australian Quest and Miss Teenage Victoria. These challenges presented Gail with the opportunity to enter community affairs.

She moved into the local arts community via the Frankston Music Society, Frankston Orchestra and the McClelland Gallery, becoming a committee member, fulfilling their promotion requirements and comparing any promotional events e.g. Dog Affairs, Community Days, and Fund Raising dinners. This resulted in requests from welfare groups on the Peninsula for lectures on personal presentation, encouraging young people to further their employment opportunities.

Standing for Council was almost a natural progression and Gail became a Councillor in 1992 after successfully contesting the then Frankston Council East Ward. As the Cultural Portfolio Delegate she became further involved in the local arts community through groups such as Peninsula Light Operatic Society and Frankston Theatre Group.

Although the lack of performing space in Frankston had always been apparent, the extensive exposure to the arts community emphasised the need for a venue that would satisfy the variant needs of the Frankston Community with emphasis on a performing space suitable for visiting local artists and a formal reception venue.

She has been on every committee formed since the concept of the Arts Centre was first raised. The time and effort put into all the working groups, meetings, discussion groups etc. can only be guessed at, but we only have to look at our magnificent Arts Centre to recognise the commitment she had to the task.

She was a founding member of the Piano Fund, which fulfilled its role last year by successfully acquiring both a Baby Grand Piano and a Steinway Full Concert Grand for the use of visiting artists to the Arts Centre.

Gail was one of the founding members of the Friends of the Frankston Arts Centre.  She was instrumental in all that was required to form The Friends and has been the President since formation in 1997.  She motivates, challenges and encourages members to give of themselves for the betterment of the Friends. The meetings, the newsletters, all the functions and entertainments are spearheaded by Gail which, in turn, lead to success. 

Gail Dudeck’s commitment to her local community, with a special interest in the arts qualifies her for the Victorian Honour Roll for Women. She is a leading light in her area and her ongoing commitment, encouragement to others and just jolly hard work has made a significant impact to our Community.