The projection was part of Clarence Valley Council's Building Bridges project, which is funded by the NSW Government's Stronger Country Communities Fund. It involved projecting artworks by local First Nations artists celebrating the endangered coastal emu onto the Sunshine Sugar building in South Grafton throughout the Jacaranda Season. Council worked with local First Nations artists, Sunshine Sugar, Esem projects, Transport for NSW and Australian Rail Track Corporation to bring the project to fruition.
Community Project Officer Sarah Nash led the project and was proud to accept the award on behalf of Clarence Valley Council.
"It's fantastic to be recognised by The National Trust as a celebration of our natural heritage as well as the historically significant Grafton Bridge precinct," Ms Nash said.
"This projection is part of a project that celebrates public art in the Clarence. Public art tells stories about the places where we live, and the emu projection tells the story of our much loved, endangered coastal emu through the eyes of local Aboriginal artists."
Clarence River in the background.
The Building Bridges Emu Projections was joint winner alongside Orange Regional Museum's entry Mulaa Giilang: Wiradjuri stories of the night sky in an Events, Exhibitions and Tours category comprising eight finalists.
A total of 17 winners across 15 categories recognised at this year's awards, including the restoration of Sydney's iconic Bondi Pavilion, and a gleaming six-metre sculpture by Aboriginal artist Judy Watson.
