Excellence in Queensland Galleries and Museums

MEDIA RELEASE: Museum and Gallery Services Queensland

Museum and Gallery Services Queensland (M&GSQ) proudly announced the winners of the 2010 Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards (GAMAA) at a gala event last Saturday night hosted by the Caloundra Regional Gallery, Sunshine Coast. Special guest, Jenny Galligan, Executive Director, Arts Development, Arts Queensland, congratulated this year’s recipients and presented the winners with a specially crafted 2010 GAMAA trophy created by Queensland glass artist, Joanna Bone.

Now in its seventh year, the GAMAA is a prestigious annual event designed to celebrate the outstanding achievements, professional excellence, and innovation of Queensland’s museum and gallery sector. An initiative of Museum and Gallery Services Queensland, the GAMAA recognise the valuable contribution our State’s museums and galleries make to enriching their local and wider communities, and honour the extraordinary commitment and talents of paid professionals and volunteers working in the industry.

The Executive Director of Museum and Gallery Services Queensland, Rebekah Butler, said ‘It is with great pleasure that M&GSQ congratulates the winners of the 2010 GAMAA and commends all those nominated for their tremendous contribution to the sector. This year’s awards attracted nominations from every region of Queensland and recognise a range of inspirational projects and achievements.’

Winners of the 2010 GAMAA were recognised in each of the five categories, with a number of nominations being awarded a Special Commendation. The winners and commendations for each category are listed below:

ORGANISATIONS: STAFF OF 5 OR MORE
Winner: Museum of Brisbane, Prejudice and Pride: Recognising the contribution of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities to Brisbane exhibition, BRISBANE
Special Commendation: Ipswich Art Gallery, Children’s Gallery exhibitions and public programs, IPSWICH

ORGANISATIONS: STAFF OF UNDER 5
Winner: McKinlay Shire Council, At the Creek, JULIA CREEK
Special Commendation: Old Government House, Interpreting Old Government House: Setting a new twenty-first century benchmark in heritage interpretative displays, BRISBANE
Special Commendation: Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, Mudskippers and Little Skippers Education Program, HERVEY BAY

ORGANISATIONS: VOLUNTEER RUN
Winner: Surf World Gold Coast Inc, Surfing history and beach culture museum, CURRUMBIN
Special Commendation: Australian Country Hospital Heritage Association, Establishment of the Country Hospital Museum, ROCKHAMPTON

INDIVIDUALS: PAID
Winner: Joolie Gibbs, Gallery Coordinator, Gympie Regional Gallery, GYMPIE
Special Commendation: Ken Brooks, Curator, Brennan & Geraghty’s Store Museum, MARYBOROUGH

INDIVIDUALS: VOLUNTEER
Winner: Julie Ramsbotham, Cairns and District Chinese Association Inc. (CADCAI), CAIRNS

For further information visit: www.magsq.com.au