Congratulations to The University of Queensland’s Anthropology Museum and Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation who received a Highly Commended at the 2024 Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards held recently in Toowoomba.
This recognition was for its outstanding achievement in the category of ‘Projects: Organisations with Paid Staff’ for the Kirrenderri, Heart of the Channel Country touring exhibition.
Curated by UQ Anthropology Museum curator Mandana Mapar, and Mithaka curators Tracey Hough and Shawnee Gorringe, this touring initiative presented a visually striking and narrative-rich exhibition chronicling extraordinary stories from one of the most remote locations at the very heart of Australia.
In June 2019, the Mithaka people of Southwestern Queensland met with collaborators in Toowoomba to create a substantial cultural mapping project.
At this meeting, distinguished researchers from the Australian National University, The University of Queensland, the Alice Duncan-Kemp family and UQ Anthropology Museum, discussed how best to conserve this unique environmental and cultural heritage.
Together, their work formed the foundation of Kirrenderri, a timely exhibition that illustrates the cultural and aesthetic riches of the Mithaka region of Channel Country and underscores the historic milestones and the resilience of relationships forged between Aboriginal and pioneering families in the region, from the late 1890s to the present.
From 2023-2024, the exhibition was displayed in 4 regional and remote Queensland centres and engaged more than 35,000 visitors.
In awarding the Highly Commended in this category, the 2024 GAMAA judging panel praised the Anthropology Museum and its collaborators for this heartfelt, thoughtful and carefully curated project that resulted in meaningful, tangible outcomes and wide-ranging learning opportunities.
Museums & Galleries Queensland Executive Director Rebekah Butler said UQ’s Anthropology Museum was worthy of a Highly Commended in this very competitive awards category.
“It deserves congratulations for producing and touring this important and culturally significant exhibition that demonstrated exceptional outcomes through its research, partnerships and engagement,” she said.
Additionally, it marked UQ Anthropology Museum's first extensive regional tour and fostered valuable connections with host communities and tourism partners.
