Georges River Council were finalists in two of the four categories of the Local Government Week Awards 2023 at Doltone House, Hyde Park last night.
Council were finalists the Leo Kelly OAM Arts and Culture Award – Arts and Cultural Project category for the submission Hurstville Museum & Gallery – Converged Facility Exhibition Model.
Hurstville Museum & Gallery utilised an innovative exhibition model, blending historical narratives with contemporary commissioned artworks, to tell two complementary yet contrasting exhibitions which challenged our community's preconceived notions in a new and engaging way.
'Our Journeys | Our Stories' highlighted Chinese migration to the Georges River area, and was complemented by the works of Chinese-Australian artists Cindy Yuen-Zhe Chen, Guo Jian, Lindy Lee, Xiao Lu, Jason Phu, and Guan Wei.
'Guraban: where the saltwater meets the freshwater' explored multiple perspectives on First Nations connections to the Georges River, complemented by the works of Dennis Golding, Nicole Monks & Jenine Boeree, Djon Mundine, Marilyn Russell and Jason Wing.
This exhibition model utilised community co-curation and exemplified Council's organisational mission to educate, engage and inspire our community. The blending of social, cultural, historic and artistic narratives truly embodied the purpose of Hurstville Museum & Gallery through cohesive, interpretative experience.
Council also submitted the Eurovision Live Broadcast Party which were finalists in the RH Dougherty Award – Innovation in Special Events category.
Georges River Council's Eurovision Live Broadcast Party is a free event where people come together to watch the Eurovision Song Contest live, alongside engaging entertainment and activities. The event seeks to convey messages of diversity and inclusion at an accessible and local level.
The event achieved unique experiences for the community, focused on cultural diversity, and increased event participation, greater brand awareness for Georges River Council, and enhanced community partnerships.
This unique event has grown to become Australia's largest live broadcast Eurovision event and is an annual drawcard in bringing people to the Georges River area.
Georges River Council Mayor Nick Katris said, "I proudly congratulate our staff and their teams who have worked incredibly hard with passion and creativity to achieve excellence in their projects.
"These Awards celebrate outstanding achievements; whilst promoting innovation and continuous improvement within NSW Local Government.
"To receive this level of industry recognition is an exciting achievement."
