2023 Awards: Winners Announced
Hosted by vibrant radio broadcaster Jacinta Parsons and featuring a Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin and warm words from Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks, the winners of the 2023 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards were announced on 10 October at a gala ceremony - the sector's night of nights - held at ACMI.
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Winner:
Tammy Nguyen, Vietnamese Museum Australia
Tammy is Head of Museum Operations at the Vietnamese Museum Australia. She is a remarkable volunteer and leader who inspires and motivates others through her charisma and dedication. Tammy fosters collaboration with diverse communities, organises meaningful events, and fundraises for charitable causes. As a member of the Vietnamese Australian Professional Network, she also bridges generational and cultural gaps, nurturing a vibrant volunteer community.
The judges commended Tammy for her dedication in realising a community museum, showcasing her remarkable leadership, active committee participation, and collaboration with various organisations to bring this vision to fruition.
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Winner:
Sherene Hassan, Islamic Museum of Australia
Sherene is the Director of Community and Education Engagement at the Islamic Museum of Australia (IMA). Sherene has been instrumental to IMA, contributing greatly to its success through community outreach, cultural training, and educational programs. Her input in gallery content has made it an inclusive space for all to learn about Islam.
The judges praised Sherene as a crucial figure in promoting intercultural collaboration by educating school students and others about Australia's Islamic community, contributing significantly to reducing racism and Islamophobia while fostering cultural awareness, making her an invaluable asset to the museum sector.
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Winner:
Rose Hiscock, The University of Melbourne
In 2016, Rose was appointed as Director, Museums and Collections to lead the development of the Science Gallery. Her work led to the formation of the Museums and Collections department, opening of the Science Gallery, and the ongoing development of an Indigenous-led Place for Indigenous arts.
The judges noted that Rose has achieved a remarkable feat by centralising the university's collections, displaying exceptional leadership, innovation, and collaboration, which are essential for the successful execution of this challenging endeavour.
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Winner:
Meghan Grech for excellence in Cultural Heritage and Museums Studies
Meghan was recognised for excellence for her work and show of dedication within Deakin University's Cultural Heritage and Museums Studies Program.
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Winner:
Queenscliffe Historical Society for their exhibition Queenscliffe Revealed: Hidden Histories, New Narratives
Opened in September 2022 as part of the Queenscliffe HUB project, this exhibition, researched and curated by QHM volunteers on a limited budget, featured three main themes and 26 stories, offering insights into the history of the Wadawurrung, Queenscliffe, and Point Lonsdale regions.
The judges noted that Queenscliffe Revealed is a wonderful project with an impressive number of local stories developed and researched for it to tell the history of the community.
Highly Commended:
Women’s Art Register for their publication Leaving Your Legacy: A Guide for Australian Artists
The judges commended the Women's Art Register for this excellent project. They noted that the publication has relevant and real outcomes, using multiple platforms to educate the community -- very well done.
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Winner:
Yarra Ranges Regional Museum for their exhibition Hard Place/Good Place: Yarra Ranges
The result of cross-sector collaboration and a minimal budget, this exhibition showcased augmented reality stories created by local young people affected by a severe windstorm in the Dandenong Ranges in June 2021. It aimed to address community issues such as climate change and mental health, contributing to the healing and recovery process after the storm's first anniversary.
The judges noted that this exhibition highlights successful collaboration between university partners and participants, with a strong emphasis on engaging stakeholder communities and demonstrating the project's lasting relevance, particularly in the context of climate change. It underscores the essential role cultural organisations can play in their communities during times of crisis.
Highly Commended:
Shrine of Remembrance for their exhibition Defending with Pride
The judges noted that Defending with Pride serves as a great illustration of how cultural organisations can influence attitudes and beliefs, showcasing the Shrine's effective engagement with stakeholder communities, with clear and compelling evidence of its impact.
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Winner:
RMIT Culture for Radical Utopia, The Design Archaeology of a Creative City
This collaborative project between RMIT Design Archives and RMIT Gallery resulted in an exhibition, public programming, and scholarly journal edition. It delved into how 1980s Melbourne designers pioneered innovative creative practices through design activism, public discourse, exhibitions, publications, and new media, ultimately leading to the development of digital creative practices and establishing Melbourne as a global leader in the field, particularly in gaming.
The judges praised the collaboration between RMIT Culture and RMIT Design Archives for the "Radical Utopia" exhibition, highlighting its exploration of 1980s Melbourne designers' creative practices and the educational value of the accompanying expanded edition of the RMIT Design Archives Journal.
Highly Commended:
Hamilton Gallery for their exhibition Luminous: John Orval, Stained Glass Artist
The judges noted that Hamilton Gallery has accomplished an ambitious project with limited resources, and their scholarly approach to exhibition-making has left an impact on audiences and made a significant contribution to Australian art history.
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Winner:
Museums Victoria for their exhibition More Than a Tarrang (tree): Memory, Material, Cultural Agency
Highly Commended:
Bonegilla Migrant Experience for their exhibition The Bonegilla ID Cards
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Winner:
Art Gallery of Ballarat for their exhibition Beating About The Bush: A new lens on Australian Impressionism
Highly Commended:
TarraWarra Museum of Art for their exhibition TarraWarra Biennial 2023: ua usiusi fa'ava'asavili, curated by Dr Leuli Eshragi
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Winner:
Museums Victoria for their exhibition Tyama: A deeper sense of knowing
Highly Commended:
Central Goldfields Art Gallery for the Gallery Redevelopment Project
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Winner:
Daylesford and District Historical Society with Djaara Elder Uncle Rick Nelson for their exhibition Coranderrk Portraits
Highly Commended:
Bundoora Homestead Art Centre for their Truth-telling Permanent History Display
Highly Commended:
Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place for the Repatriation of Gunai Kurnai GRI (canoe) project
REACCREDITATIONS
Community Museum Accreditation Program
Doncaster and Templestowe Historical Society
Knox Historical Society
Nepean Historical Society
National Alpine Museum
Museum Accreditation Program
Beechworth Burke Museum
Burrinja Dandenong Ranges Cultural Centre
Coal Creek Community Park and Museum
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Como House and Garden
Old Melbourne Gaol
Polly Woodside
Rippon Lea Estate
The Dax Centre
Congratulations to all Awards and Reccreditation recipients, to all Highly Commended organisations, and thank you to all our fantastic nominees. The outstanding quality of the nominations received testifies to the extraordinary vitality of the Victorian museums and galleries.