2010 Victorian Museum Awards

Hosted by special guest Rod Quantock, the 16th annual Victorian Museum Awards were held on the 22 July, at the Melbourne Story Gallery, Melbourne Museum.

Congratulating the award winners, Minister for the Arts Peter Batchelor, who attended the awards, said the Victorian Museum Awards celebrate the important work undertaken at Victorian museums.

"The winners reflect the extraordinary diversity and quality of museums across Victoria, and the exciting work they are doing to engage audiences of all types. These awards recognise the many passionate and highly-skilled museum workers and volunteers across the State whose work make our museums exciting and engaging hubs for learning, research and entertainment."

The Museums Australia (Victoria) Award for Excellence (volunteer)
Kay Gibson
VICTORIA POLICE MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL SERVICES

Kay Gibson’s affiliation with the Victoria Police Museum began in 1990, at the old Victoria Police headquarters at Russell Street, Melbourne. Kay has been a constant source of knowledge and support through numerous changes the museum has undergone over the past two decades. As a researcher, she has increased the accessibility to the museum’s archival holdings, donated extensive research material to other organisations and has demonstrated a strong commitment to building and sharing museum sector knowledge with peers, colleagues and community members. She has provided insight into previously undocumented collection areas including Victoria Police Horses and helped with research for the museum’s first in-house temporary exhibition Ambush: Ned Kelly and the Stringybark Creek Murders.

The Museums Australia (Victoria) Award for Excellence (paid staff)
Jason Eades, CEO, KOORIE HERITAGE TRUST

Gnokan Danna Murra Kor-ki is the motto of the Koorie Heritage Trust. It is the combination of two Koorie languages and means ‘Give me your hand my friend’ and bridge the cultural gap. Jason Eades’ leadership in the Trust is a true and genuine embodiment of this enlightening motto. Guiding the Trust in providing education and promotion that raises an awareness and appreciation of cultural diversity of Koorie culture in south-eastern Australia, Jason has promoted working towards the broader goals of reconciliation for all Australians.

The Click Systems Award for Volunteer Run Museums 
GIPPSLAND REGIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM
for Building and Equipping New Archives

Since its inception in 1972, the Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum has aimed to ‘collect and secure items relating to the early history of Port Albert and its hinterland’. Over three decades, this museum has meticulously sought and followed industry advice in maintaining museum standards and being financially viable.

Through successful grant applications and project leadership, the museum has been able to fit out its archives with the latest in archival storage equipment and storage materials. The Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum has been recognised for Building and Equipping The Fred Hobson Archives.

The Archival Survival Award for Small Museums (1-7 paid staff)
BURRINJA CULTURAL CENTRE
for Exemplary Public Programs

Burrinja, a public gallery and community Arts Centre in the Dandenong Ranges, has demonstrated commitment to excellence and best practice involving people and communities across all areas of public programming. The Indigenous Education Program and Art Collection, Jarmbi Gallery and photographic group Upwey Scum Pups are all leading examples of its commitment to the community.

Encouraging the widest access for audiences from all socio-economic, geographic and ability backgrounds is foremost in the planning of a wide diversity of events and activities across key areas of community engagement; arts, performance, education and community. Burrinja is a facilitator to various community programs and groups including the Lantern Parade, Upwey Billycart Race, Youth Music Connection, Burrinja Arties and the Dandenong Ranges Open Studio.

Museum's Australia (Victoria) Award for Medium Museums (8-50 paid staff)
SHRINE OF REMEMBRANCE
for the Remembrance Box Outreach Program

The Shrine’s Remembrance Box Outreach Program is an innovative partnership with the Australian War Memorial (AWM) and the Returned Services League of Australia (RSL). It delivers programs for schools in regional centres of Victoria, bringing together veterans and students to share stories about Australia’s war time history.

Utilising the resources of oral history, objects and an education facilitator, this program involves people and communities in centres such as Horsham, Morwell, Creswick, Colac, Bendigo, Bright, Ararat and Hamilton. Support material is available on the Shrine’s website and has resulted in the Shrine receiving additional funding for further regional development.

Museum’s Australia (Victoria) Award for Large Museums (51+ paid staff)
MUSEUM VICTORIA
for Wild: Amazing animals in a changing world Exhibition

A new biodiversity exhibition of over 770 mammal and bird mounts from all over the globe, Wild offers a balance of simplicity and sophistication in the presentation of exhibition content and objects. Referencing traditional museum display and the latest technology to create engaging interactions and multi-layered journeys, this exhibition demonstrates a commitment to excellence and innovation through a unique interpretive approach.

The Herald Sun People’s Choice Award for the Best Museum Experience
Old Gippstown, Moe

Step back in time to the 1850s and enjoy Gippsland’s Heritage Park, Old Gippstown. Renowned for the Coach house which contains one of Victorias' best collections of horse drawn vehicles, the visitor can enjoy the gardens and see a large variety of agricultural and industrial machinery ranging from horse drawn, steam-driven or manually operated and the blacksmiths forge. Voted by Herald Sun readers as the Best Victorian Museum Experience in 2010.