MAITLAND REGIONAL ART GALLERY WIN PRESTIGIOUS AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM & GALLERY ASSOCIATION AWARDS

Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads)—The Australian Museum and Gallery Association Awards were held recently, and I am proud to announce that our very own Maitland Regional Art Gallery swept the pool, and took home the National Overall Excellence Award, and were also named Best in Show 2023 for Temporary or Travelling Exhibition category for the 'Nongirrna Marawili: Daughter of the Lightning Snake'. MRAG went further to secure first prize in the Indigenous Project Award with 'Maitland Cultural Resurgence', and Exhibition Award for 'Nongirrna Marawili Daughter of the Lightning Snake' and the Community Engagement and Outreach Award for 'The Maitland Archive!'. The Gallery was also awarded two MAPDA Awards for design, with the 'Nongirrna Marawili Daughter of the Lightning Snake' catalogue, alongside another local business, Newy Digital, who dominated in the Best Digital Learning Experience category with the prestigious 'Arts Health Project.' My heartfelt congratulations to all the talented artists and collaborators who have produced such great work right in our electorate. I congratulate Gallery Director Gerry Bobsien and her team of staff and volunteers for the incredible work they have put into enriching our cultural life in Maitland.