HEVERY BAY REGIONAL GALLERY Stratgeic Report 2020
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HERVEY BAY REGIONAL GALLERY
TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
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INTRODUCTION 4 MESSAGE FROM OUR MAYOR
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KEY STATEMENTS
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Methodology 7
PURPOSE AND METHODOLOGY
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Purpose 7
HISTORY AND CONTEXT
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Overview 8 An Identity Crisis 8 Climate Control Incident & the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere 9 Exhibitions and Public Programming Constraints 9 Council Art Collection – storage, growth and Significance 10 Extensions, Viability and Solutions 10 Our Community 11 Consultation 13
WHAT’S IN A NAME AND PLACE – PIALBA
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OUR TRANSFORMATIVE VISION
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– CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH STORYTELLING
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A vision for 2027
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OBJECTIVES
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GUIDING DOCUMENTS AND STATEMENTS
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Fraser Coast Regional Council Key Statements and Documents Industry and Best Practice Guiding Documents
REFERENCES
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Fraser Coast Regional Council acknowledges the traditional custodians of country (land, sea and sky), the Butchulla (Badtjala) people, on the Fraser Coast upon which this strategic plan will operate. We also acknowledge the cultural diversity of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, elders past, present and emerging, as well as the significant contribution Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made and continue to make to shape the identity of the Fraser Coast and Australia. The Traditional Owners as the Aboriginal custodians of the Fraser Coast for thousands of years prior to European settlement are recognised in this Strategic Plan for their significant contribution to shaping the identity of the Fraser Coast now and into the future. The Butchulla (Badtjala) people sustained a balanced lifestyle on country (land, sea and sky) meeting their own needs within a caring for country context. Their ongoing responsibilities and connection to country, people, culture, language, history, and traditions are recognised and respected as we work together for the future of the Fraser Coast. Source: “Fraser Coast Community Plan.” In accordance with the acknowledgements in the key publication, Badtjala – English English – Badtjala Word List, the following is recognised: “Badtjala is also spelt Butchulla. Butchulla is a phonetic spelling and Badtjala is an Aboriginal spelling.” (Foley & Wondunna Aboriginal Corporation, 2019, p. iii). This document will hereafter refer to the Badtjala (Butchulla) people as Badtjala in accordance with the Aboriginal spelling. Badtjala – English English – Badtjala Word List was first published in 1996 by the Wondunna Aboriginal Corporation with Shirley Foley, and republished in 2019 by Pirri Productions with Dr Fiona Foley (Foley & Wondunna Aboriginal Corporation, 2019).
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“THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY OF THE FRASER COAST HAVE A PLACE WHERE THEIR WORK/CREATIONS CAN BE ENJOYED BY THE COMMUNITY.” — Aunty Jan Williams, Butchulla community representative.
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INTRODUCTION Public art galleries play multiple roles within the community and our broader national cultural identity. They are cultural and educational centres with responsive, interactive and participatory programming delivered to residing, transient and tourist communities. Regional public art galleries are vital places for community recovery, gathering, connection, engagement and learning. They also need to challenge, inspire, deconstruct, tell truths, share stories, and become cultural agents. In the short time that I have been the custodian of Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, I have witnessed the intrinsic impact that the Regional Gallery has within the Fraser Coast community. I have been met with overwhelming warmth and welcomes, alongside the message that our creative community is ready for change through action, participation and celebration. It has been a privilege to be part of a consultation process with key stakeholders who respected, heard and valued opinions from our diverse community. I am filled with optimism and anticipation at what we – the Regional Gallery and our community – will achieve over the six years of this Strategic Plan. Hervey Bay Regional Gallery is a public gallery funded and operated by Fraser Coast Regional Council as a community cultural development service. As well as supporting the professional development of artists, Hervey Bay Regional Gallery is committed to promoting significant aspects of the region, encouraging community participation in Gallery activities, fostering curatorial practice, and encouraging a healthy and sustainable local arts industry.
Council for the Arts, 2020). This is reflected in the Regional Gallery’s annual general visitation of which approximately half are tourists. The arts play an important role in rebuilding community and assisting with community recovery after a disaster (NSF Consulting, 2011). The arts help create new connections when old ones have been severed, while storytelling is a common thread throughout successful recovery projects (NSF Consulting, 2011). As the Fraser Coast region develops community recovery projects in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the arts will provide opportunities for our community to connect and move forward together. Hervey Bay Regional Gallery will play an important role in this recovery, both as a physical location to connect to the arts and communities, as well as its online presence as an avenue to celebrate and share stories. The five (5) key objectives identified in the Key Statements section capture Hervey Bay Regional Gallery’s operations, while striving to stimulate community engagement, interactivity, increased access, outreach and storytelling. Cara-Ann Simpson Hervey Bay Regional Gallery Curator September 2020
Hervey Bay Regional Gallery is committed to fulfilling the peak body (AMaGA) publication, “First Peoples: A Roadmap for Enhancing Indigenous Engagement in Museums and Galleries” (2018), including reimagining representation through truth-telling and building strong Indigenous engagement via meaningful relationships. This Strategic Plan aims to action the critical pathways and key transformations outlined in the Roadmap from Alignment to Acceleration, which are relevant to local government authorities and public art galleries. The Strategic Plan superseding this Plan will provide advice on meeting the final Roadmap steps that are relevant to Hervey Bay Regional Gallery. (Janke, 2018) Domestic tourism is growing in Australia, with an increasing appetite for authentic cultural tourism experiences. This change is amplified in domestic arts tourism, where Australians are travelling further, staying longer and spending more (Australia Council for the Arts, 2020). Renowned for the spectacular and unique natural environment and a vibrant creative community, the Fraser Coast region has opportunities to enhance visitor experiences with authentic cultural tourism, including deeper engagement with arts and culture. According to Tourism Research Australia, visiting art galleries is one of the primary activities of the domestic cultural tourist (Australia
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MESSAGE FROM OUR MAYOR Pere cus nobis autate consequia cusciis abor se recto tem reheni aut ma dio quam et mo bea vid ma sunt rero quis vent exerepraero offictatio. Ut omnis a sin comnisquo te acillo moluptur sunt volorep eliquos suntemo luptis evel ius. Lendandante sitatet harchit atectur atur, quia que voluptas rehendae porum sunt. Mil ea suntis ventetur, officab idio officip sapeliquiam hicillatiore omnietumquae est ex et quuntion pratur sandipicatem renem facea dolestio quatiscia vellore henescit eveliae eum, nam dis dis sit alique et, voluptae ilignat uritios sum et prest in re nulpa idusame lam que in eaquam cume delesedi se nonsequibus el explabo. Ehendio mod quunt at quo in et faccabor modis maximil explibus ex es expe officaborit amust rest, quossinis exped mint volor assequoditi sunt ma dit la perferuptat. Hit rem invendae. Nam ditatem endis nos ut imi, comnis ipis dolor sanimint facid quae volendis ius ex et eliatetum sant, que cus entem aceperum rectur as delliquo modions entur? Bo. Nequi repe si dolorunde entiaes tinimolo vendae et aut arumquia voles dem hiliatquid este autatem fugiati scillam, consed exersperum reria dolumqui autati volupie nditasi dolloribus est, et in comnis eossunt od que volupta tempor sincid quas aperore ptatempe labo. Tur modiaspel et quosam arit ate ped que escim fugit eos sant etur aliquunt et quamusc ietur, tem dolectinima sit dolorit ped qui dissi conestia alique vidis doloreperum laniendaeria que sim quam dolupta spellenia et a quam hicaest orehentoris et, sincien dandaer sperepera nat. Otatus. Agnimin cilicab iuntureheni aut is delit audam conseres et volute si re corepratiat que est, cum ressunt, sanihil iquate cori beatibus modis eos dolorempos ut quias magnimus ea cumque re magnist reiunti usdant dolupta tinimpore mincill aborporenda sus sitaectus ius cor atemperis inus inum reperat faccupid ulpa volorum et liquod exerchita aut iment mi, vene culpa secus, consectem ipsusam, quod ut ent, voloreperro debitibus eles estrum rem faceaquam explabo. Ic te lia netur rem faccull aborepel illiquiant. Repudi animinumqui to ex essequis re volore nus erum quosape rectatest repe veligendani dus acit que volo beat iumquossita essimol oriasimusam enducitam, odia vellaboria volesendam dolum volupta tiatquatio. Nam conestia commodit endit ditempe volorroviti cum repro voleceatem laturit que corepud amendunt. Ferro idusant orestotam eum eictur? Qui nessedigent audae cupienit, nullatecum iuntius aciist imperro optias repra con pratur? Aliam et autem qui ommolores alic tectatem que expediciis ut volorrum es velignia serorro
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KEY STATEMENTS VISION: Connecting communities through storytelling
MISSION: Hervey Bay Regional Gallery builds better communities by engaging people through ideas, art, place, history and culture.
VALUES: Hervey Bay Regional Gallery follows Fraser Coast Regional Council’s TRAITS values: TRUST
RESPECT
ACCOUNTABILITY
INITIATIVE
TEAMWORK
SERVICE
OBJECTIVES: Hervey Bay Regional Gallery has identified five (5) key objectives to focus our strategies and directions: 1. Hervey Bay Regional Gallery will become a place of consequence by 2027, known for excellence, engagement, accessibility and sustainability across its exhibitions, outreach and public programs. 2. We will support people to create, interact, learn and tell their stories by developing and delivering opportunities that connect communities within the region and beyond. 3. We will engage with our diverse communities and stakeholders within the region and beyond to establish strong partnerships and advocate for our creative region. 4. We will recognise, celebrate and support the Badtjala (Butchulla) people who are the traditional custodians of country (land, sea and sky) on which the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery operates. 5. We will build and maintain an Art Collection of state Significance by 2035.
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PURPOSE AND METHODOLOGY PURPOSE The Hervey Bay Regional Gallery Strategic Plan 2021-2027 has been developed in recognition of the vital roles that storytelling, in all of its forms including contemporary visual art and the interpretation of culture, history and place, plays in building and supporting the Fraser Coast region’s vibrant and diverse communities. Further, this plan aims to provide an open understanding of the past, a constructive perspective of today, and a creative vision for the future that encompasses all of our region’s histories, cultures and creative aspirations. This Strategic Plan identifies the key objectives that will inform and expand Hervey Bay Regional Gallery’s future, ensuring it fulfils both the vision and mission statements. Detailed implementation of the plan will be outlined in the supporting Action Plan, which inform annual business / operation plans. It is widely understood that while some aspects of arts and culture activities are quantifiable, such as visitation and quantifiable engagement, many aspects of arts and culture activities are gauged in qualitative data. This data is primarily the feedback of peers, community and critics across both the short-term, such as specific programs, as well as the long-term, such as annual programs.
METHODOLOGY
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STAGE 1:
STAGE 2:
STAGE 3:
STAGE 4:
STAGE 5:
Background information, benchmarking and research
Community and stakeholder engagement
Analysis and strategy development
Feedback and review
Implementation, including ongoing performance review and reporting
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HISTORY AND CONTEXT OVERVIEW Hervey Bay Regional Gallery is located on Badtjala country, in the heart of Hervey Bay’s civic precinct, Pialba and on the southeast coast of Queensland. Hervey Bay is part of the larger Fraser Coast Regional Council in the Wide Bay-Burnett region covering 7,125km2 from the Gunalda Range in the south, past Howard on the Bruce Highway to the north, east to K’gari (Fraser Island) and west to near Biggenden, and has an estimated population of more than 107,000 residents (.id the population experts, 2020). The region is renowned for being the first World Whale Heritage Site, and is host to migratory humpback whales from July to October annually. Located off the coast of Hervey Bay is K’gari (Fraser Island), the world’s largest sand island and home to unique sand dune rainforests and ecosystems, as well as being a site of Significance to the Badtjala people. Hervey Bay Regional Gallery first opened in May 1997 as part of Hervey Bay City Council’s new Cultural Services complex located in the Cultural Precinct at 161 Old Maryborough Road, Pialba. The purpose built venue included Hervey Bay Library, a shared courtyard with University of Southern Queensland, and Hervey Bay Regional Gallery. This first building was funded by Hervey Bay City Council with assistance from the Queensland State Government and University of Southern Queensland. This partnership between Hervey Bay City Council and the University of Southern Queensland resulted in the first joint use community and university library in Australia. Hervey Bay Regional Gallery gained an Exhibition Venue Category A rating from the Regional Gallery Association of Queensland, meeting international museum and gallery standards, which are now redundant. Gallery operations initially came under the portfolio of the Library and Gallery Services, and in February
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1997, two interim advisory panels comprised of representatives from the local arts community and Hervey Bay City Council provided assistance during the first year of operations. In February 1998, Simon Klose was appointed as the first Director of Hervey Bay Regional Gallery. In 2007 it was recognised that the Cultural Services department of Council, which at that time incorporated the gallery, library, museums, and community and cultural development services, had outgrown its location. Plans were initiated for the construction of a new gallery venue and cultural space, as well as a separate building for a new community centre within the grounds of City Park, falling inside the Civic Precinct. The following year in March 2008, a decision was made to amalgamate the Hervey Bay, Maryborough and Woocoo Councils, alongside two divisions of the Tiaro Shire to form the Fraser Coast Regional Council. In December 2012, Hervey Bay Regional Gallery was relocated and commenced operations in the newly purpose-built and architecturally designed Fraser Coast Cultural Centre, located at 166 Old Maryborough Road, Pialba. This facility incorporated two art exhibition spaces, the Main Gallery and Access Galleries, foyer, retail space, children’s workshop room, Theatrette multimedia room and the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere, a static interpretive environmental and cultural display. Fraser Coast Tourism and Events partnered with Council at different stages in the management and delivery of the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere. Since its opening in 2012, the venue has experienced ongoing challenges, including establishing community awareness and understanding of its identity and purpose. In late 2019, a new Curator position was established to drive necessary improvements and ensure that the Regional Gallery meets community and industry expectations. These expectations
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include building a reputation for best practice and creativity in its operations; significance and sustainability of its exhibitions, public programming and art collection; a high level of community and visitor engagement; and a high level of support to the local arts industry.
AN IDENTITY CRISIS The name and branding ‘Fraser Coast Cultural Centre’, the previously, separately operated ‘Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere’ and ‘Hervey Bay Regional Gallery’ has created ongoing identity confusion. These multiple brands have negatively affected the ability for Hervey Bay Regional Gallery to obtain prominent status within the community, as well as meet regional, state and national expectations of the purpose of a regional public art gallery. During 2019 and 2020 substantial key stakeholder consultation took place both formally and informally through the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery Consultative Group, a key stakeholder creative workshop with accompanying diagnostic session, focus group sessions, and multiple meetings with community members and Council staff. Community members involved included artists, independent gallery operators, Badtjala community members, educators and marketing experts. A top recommendation from this process was the need for branding, identity and operational consolidation, including an emphasis on highlighting Hervey Bay Regional Gallery, and removing ‘Fraser Coast Cultural Centre’ and ‘Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere’ identities and programs. In 2020, Gilimbaa Creative Agency was awarded the contract to re-envision Hervey Bay Regional Gallery’s identity and branding, encompassing the entire venue, and including significant key stakeholder consultation.
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CLIMATE CONTROL INCIDENT & THE FRASER COAST DISCOVERY SPHERE
Island), Badtjala history and culture, the intersection of the two UNESCO Biospheres, whale heritage, and the region’s many unique natural assets (Fraser Coast Regional Council, 2020).
purpose to not only share local creative content, but to deliver engaging, challenging, inspirational and unique programs that are not accessible elsewhere within the community.
In February 2020, the facility’s chiller failed and subsequently the temperature and humidity spiked causing damage to the two temporary exhibitions in the building. Additional issues related to the climate control system triggered further faults and concerns, including water ingress and the rapid growth of mould in the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere and other areas of the building. In late February 2020, the facility closed to the public for investigation, while the residing staff were relocated to various Council locations. Within a fortnight of the temporary closure, the COVID-19 pandemic affected Australia, increasing restrictions across the region including the closure of all public facilities. Intensive investigations from a range of specialists across hygiene, building remediation, cleaning remediation, roofing, and HVAC systems were sought with recommendations for resolutions currently being implemented.
Given earlier research indicating the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere no longer met community expectations and priorities, plans are under development to repurpose this large space to meet current and future expectations, priorities and needs of our community.
The venue had limited capacity to host blockbuster exhibitions from a range of state, national and private institutions, as well as interactive experiential touring exhibitions that contribute to regional tourism. In recent years, this type of exhibition has been staged at Maryborough City Hall due to size requirements, however it is an unsustainable and inappropriate use for the venue, creating operational challenges and inefficiencies.
Significantly, the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere interpretative exhibition required full dismantling, and approximately 75% of the contents were deemed beyond remediation, while the majority of the remaining contents required extensive remedial conservation and cleaning. The Discovery Sphere was at end of life, having not been updated since opening in 2012, and requiring significant upgrades and modifications in order to deliver current community expectation and priorities. The separation of the space and static nature of the displays limited visitor pathways within the venue and public programming opportunities. In August 2020, Council announced that a marine and world heritage ‘experience centre’ could be a new tourist attraction for Hervey Bay. This potential facility was the top recommendation from a marine and land based tourism infrastructure planning study commissioned by the Fraser Coast Regional Council and undertaken by TRC Tourism. The centre, focusing on the region’s marine experiences, would connect K’gari (Fraser
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EXHIBITIONS AND PUBLIC PROGRAMMING CONSTRAINTS Hosting exhibitions has been constrained by the size, functionality and division of spaces within the venue. Exhibition space is over capacity with minimal room to increase touring exhibitions, whilst also maintaining the high demand for local artist and community exhibitions. In addition to these concerns, incorrect positioning of high quality lighting tracks has led to reduced functionality and capacity to illuminate exhibitions to best practice display methods. In recent years the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery became a ‘venue for hire’, including hire of the space to artists and community groups without criteria, annual call out, or assessment of applications. Venue hire also included function hire of specific spaces by the general public, businesses or internal departments, creating excess administrative work for the small team, and shifting the venue’s use away from its core purpose of providing creative, artistic and natural environment programming. Over time, the Regional Gallery’s program had become locked into annual exhibition commitments with specific community groups, greatly decreasing the flexibility for inclusion of high quality touring exhibitions, and entirely removing the ability of strategic program curation and the development of in-house exhibitions. The inability for the Regional Gallery to develop a strategic program or in-house exhibitions reduces the efficacy of a public art gallery’s core
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Inadequate space, as well as the ineffective use of existing space, also limited the programming of community engagement and professional arts development activities such as workshops, tutorials, children’s activities, artist-in-residence programs and more. The shed on the corner of Main Street and Old Maryborough Road, known as the Fraser Coast Creative Space, has been used for some activities, however it is not fit for use and created ongoing operational challenges and inefficiencies.
“I’M HAPPY TO ENGAGE AS AUDIENCE WITH TRADITIONAL AND NONTRADITIONAL, PERSONAL AND POLITICAL, INTIMATE AND ORDINARY – I LIKE A BUFFET OF CHOICES WHEN IT COMES TO ART – BUT I WANT TO KNOW THAT I WILL HAVE AN EXPERIENCE WHEN I ENTER THAT SPACE. EMOTIONAL, INTERACTIVE, EXASPERATED, INVIGORATING…” — Liza Young, HOD Creative Futures, Urangan State High School.
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COUNCIL ART COLLECTION – STORAGE, GROWTH AND SIGNIFICANCE
EXTENSIONS, VIABILITY AND SOLUTIONS
Strategic development of the art collection that meets industry standards will be vital for future-proofing, building reputation, and furthering programming capability. The existing collection store at Gatakers Artspace is not suitable to hold artworks of high significance, and well exceeds safe capacity, is not climate controlled, while also being outdated and not fit for use. Council requires a customised solution for the art collection, inclusive of climate control and large volume cassette racking storage meeting accessibility requirements and industry standards. By reconfiguring the existing floorplan of the venue, there is an opportunity to create a climate controlled art store within the Regional Gallery, where artworks of higher value and Significance can be safely stored and exhibited. The Fraser Coast National Art Prize, to be launched in 2021, will become a primary acquisition method to increase the Significance and value (cultural, creative and monetary) of Council’s collection. The development of an arts and culture advisory committee is recommended to ensure that the management of Council’s collections, including acquisition and deaccessioning, remains accountable and impartial.
In 2019, investigation into a potential extension of the venue was completed. This included a draft design that, due to the complexity of the building and roof design, could only achieve a maximum total increase of approximately 60m2 in floor space. The associated cost for the extension did not provide adequate value for money and did not address all of the operational issues requiring resolution.
In April 2020, Hervey Bay Regional Gallery staff commenced a large-scale project to audit Fraser Coast Regional Council’s Collections including the art, community art, civic, sister cities, and corporate gifts. The history and educational collections are undergoing a similar project within the Museums team. This project has provided a greater understanding of the various Collections that Council holds, as well as forming a base from which to strategically develop the Art and Community Art Collections and improve collection management practices. This project is estimated to complete the final phase, bringing the Collections online for community access, by the end of 2021.
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The most viable option forming opportunity from the climate control incident allowed these issues to be addressed within the existing footprint of the venue, implementing new solutions that reimagine the use of space.
My favourite Hervey Bay Regional Gallery Memory: “STANDING BY AND WATCHING STUDENT ARTISTS REACT TO SEEING THEIR OWN WORK ON DISPLAY IN A PUBLIC SPACE. THEIR PRIDE AND JOY IS PALPABLE AND CONTAGIOUS.” — Liza Young, HOD Creative Futures, Urangan State High School
The area including the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere and Theatrette is approximately 580m2, and the proposal to redesign this area to include a climate controlled Art Store for Council’s Art Collection, large multi-purpose gallery space, and smaller multi-purpose project space was developed. Developing two new multi-purpose spaces increases capacity to deliver engaging and interactive public program initiatives through increased workshops, children’s activities, professional arts development, and exhibitions. An improved curatorial framework will address experimental, creative, cultural, environmental and Indigenous themes. Developing a climate controlled Art Collection Store ensures that Council’s management of the art collection meets best practice standards, and increases access to allow rotation through municipal buildings and public exhibitions.
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OUR COMMUNITY FRASER COAST MEDIAN AGE (ABS.STAT, 2020)
WE ATTRACT PEOPE FRASER COAST REGION
REGIONAL QUEENSLAND
48 YEARS
FROM ALL ACROSS THE
QUEENSLAND 39 YEARS
37 YEARS
COMMUNITY. LITTLE MORE TEXT HERE ...
VENUE VISITATION TO U R I S T S Adult
GROUP VISITS
Child
Adult
Number of Visitors
Number of Visitors
6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0
Year
L O C A L V I S I TO R S
Child
Adult
Number of Visitors
Number of Visitors
5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
Child
7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 0
2017/18
2018/19
2019/20
Year
Year
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2019/20
VENUE VISITATION
6000
0
2018/19
Year
EVENTS Adult
2017/18
Child
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FRASER COAST POPULATION & GROWTH
FRASER COAST POPULATION & GROWTH
HERE ABOUT COMMUNITY NUMBERS ...
Population
ANOTHER LITTLE EXCERPT
150,000 100,000 50,000 0 POPULATION 2016
POPULATION 2020
FORECAST POPULATION 2026
FORECAST POPULATION 2041
Year
FRASER COAST HIGHEST FORECAST POPULATION GROWTH ONPOPULATION FRASER GROWTH COAST ON BETWEEN 2016 AND2016 AND 2041 FRASER COAST HIGHEST FORECAST FRASER COAST BETWEEN 2041 Children aged 0 to 17 years
Parents and Homebuilders (35 to 49 years)
Seniors (70 to 84 years)
30000 +25.4% +70.4%
25000
+30.9%
Population
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
POPULATION 2016
FORECAST POPULATION 2041
Year
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CONSULTATION This strategy was developed by the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery Curator in close consultation with the broader Cultural Services team, Council, key stakeholders and the community. The initial research stage of this Strategic Plan occurred in late 2019, with consultation between key Council staff and the Hervey Bay Regional Gallery Consultative Group.
THE HERVEY BAY REGIONAL GALLERY CONSULTATIVE GROUP MEMBERS INCLUDE: • Cr David Lewis • Susie Nawaitodre
• Christine McLiver • Liza Young
• Wilhelmus Breikers • Valerie McIntosh
• Aunty Jan Williams
Key priorities coming out of the initial research included the development of new initiatives such as the Fiona Foley Residency Program and the Fraser Coast National Art Prize, alongside acknowledgement that the Fraser Coast Discovery Sphere no longer held the same significance for the region as it had when first opened in 2012. This is primarily due to changing audiences, tourism products and aging technology within the permanent and static display. The Consultative Group raised a number of operational constraints and challenges as priority action areas for the short-term, which are address in the Action Plan. In July 2020, key stakeholders were invited to participate in a creative workshop jointly facilitated by Fraser Coast Regional Council (Hervey Bay Regional Gallery) and Gilimbaa Creative Agency. Stakeholders included Fraser Coast Councillors, key Council staff, Hervey Bay Regional Gallery Consultative Group, Badtjala community representatives, and Hervey Bay Regional Gallery volunteer representatives. Current and emerging Badtjala Elders continue to play an integral part in the consultation process in relation to future directions of Hervey Bay Regional Gallery. This session, held during the COVID-19 pandemic, was highly significant in both the open discussions held during the event, and the outcomes from these discussions informing this Strategic Plan.
What would you like Hervey Bay Regional Gallery to look like in 5 years? “SPACES FILLED WITH VISITORS WHO
KEY THEMES AND TERMINOLOGY IDENTIFIED IN THIS SESSION INCLUDED:
ARE ENGAGING WITH AN EXHIBITION
Storytelling and learning through art literacy
Interactive and immersive experiences
PROGRAM THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO
Meaningful outreach programming
Engagement, communication, connection and access
THE CROSS-SECTION OF INTERESTS OF
Place of consequence and excellence
Place, sustainability and connection to country
OUR PERMANENT RESIDENTS, AND THOSE WHO ARE PASSING THROUGH.” — Liza Young, HOD Creative Futures, Urangan State High School
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WHAT’S IN A NAME AND PLACE – PIALBA Hervey Bay Regional Gallery has always sat within the bounds of the Hervey Bay suburb of Pialba. There are a few different ideas around the origin of the name “Pialba”, however it has been recognised that this is a corrupted Badtjala word for borrillba (sea mullet) (Foley & Wondunna Aboriginal Corporation, 2019, p. 160). According to Queensland State Government ‘Queensland place names search’, Pialba has additional following possible meanings:
MY FAVOURITE HERVEY BAY REGIONAL GALLERY MEMORY: “WHEN OLAFUR ELIASSON’S ‘THE CUBIC STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION PROJECT’ AND RON
1. From Kabi language, place of fighting, from bai/ya fight and ba - place. Refer F.J. Watson. Vocabularies of four representative tribes of South Eastern Queensland. Brisbane, 1944, p.111.
MUECK’S ‘IN BED’ SPENT TIME IN
2. From Kabi language, bagillba from bagill indicating mullet and ba - place. Refer J.G. Steele. Aboriginal pathways. Brisbane, 1983, p.204.
HERVEY BAY – WHAT A COUP! SO COOL.” — Liza Young, HOD Creative Futures, Urangan State High School
(Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, 2019)
Prior to this naming of Pialba, the larger area known as Point Vernon; named in 1861 after Captain Charles Vernon by R.B. Sheridan, the Harbour Master of Maryborough. Captain Vernon was the commander of HMS Cordelia, which conveyed the first Governor to Queensland in 1859 – Governor Bowen. A report written by R.B. Sheridan dated 27 July 1861 in the Courier Mail 8 August 1861 published these details. (Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, 2019) Point Vernon was also recognised as “Polson”, which later became the first name of the general location of Pialba after being surveyed for a new township. “Polson” was named after the cemetery land donor, later buried in the Polson Cemetery in 1887. (Centre for the Government of Queensland, 2018) The area was part of the Burrum local government division (1880), which was reduced in size and named “Pialba Shire” in 1905. The Pialba Shire amalgamated in 1917 to create a new Burrum Shire with four others, entirely surrounding Maryborough. In 1931, Polson was formally renamed “Pialba”. The early settling of the township was driven by timber-getters, sugar cane growers and holiday homes for Maryborough residents. Later, mixed farming, fishing and recreational anglers assisted with the growth and popularity of the township. (Centre for the Government of Queensland, 2018) Hervey Bay entered a high growth period in the 1970s, and in 1976 local businessmen and shire councillors successfully advocated for the State Government to gazette Hervey Bay Shire Council. In 1984, additional population growth ensured that Hervey Bay Shire Council became the Hervey Bay City Council. (Hervey Bay History, 2015-2016) 14
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HERVEY BAY REGIONAL GALLERY
OUR TRANSFORMATIVE VISION
– CONNECTING COMMUNITIES THROUGH STORYTELLING Hervey Bay Regional Gallery is committed to building better communities by engaging people through ideas, art, place, history and culture. We recognise the integral role that storytelling plays to connect communities through the shared exchange of ideas. To achieve this, we will follow Fraser Coast Regional Council’s:
PURPOSE STATEMENT: BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES TRAITS values:
TRUST
INITIATIVE:
• We do what we say we are going to do. • We are open and honest with each other. • We treat each other fairly.
RESPECT:
• We look to make things better. • We encourage new ideas. • We empower people to make decisions.
TEAMWORK:
• We treat each other like we would want to be treated. • We listen before we talk. • We seek and value the contribution of others.
ACCOUNTABILITY:
• We work openly and share information. • We rely and depend on each other. • We support each other.
SERVICE:
• We take responsibility for our own actions and performance. • We hold each other accountable. • We admit mistakes and put things right.
• We work safely. • We make our customers the focus of everything we do. • We provide fair, flexible, innovative and reliable service.
These values will underpin our creative purpose, outreach, public programming, collections management, and development of our people and our operational infrastructure. The implementation of this Strategic Plan relies on the meaningful engagement of key stakeholders including Council, Hervey Bay Regional Gallery Consultative Group, artists and creatives, Badtjala (Butchulla) community representatives, Hervey Bay Regional Gallery volunteers, and the local community. The Objectives breakdown in this Plan identify specific goals within each objective that will inform a responsive Action Plan.
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A VISION FOR 2027 By 2027, Hervey Bay Regional Gallery will have established itself as the preeminent public art gallery in the Wide Bay-Burnett region, with a growing reputation at a state and national level as a place of consequence, championing excellence in the development and delivery of exhibitions, outreach, public programming, collections management, and operational infrastructure. Hervey Bay Regional Gallery’s brand will be widely recognised and immediately associated with both its physical place and programs. The Regional Gallery’s renowned programs will include the Fiona Foley Residency Program and the Fraser Coast National Art Prize. Hervey Bay Regional Gallery will be easily accessible through its new entrance facing the carpark, which invites visitors in via a significant Badtjala Public Art sculpture and landscaped garden featuring plants significant to the Badtjala people. Visitors will be welcomed into the Regional Gallery via a creative and immersive Acknowledgement of Country, a project which has been led by the Badtjala community. Upon entry into the building, visitors will be greeted with a vibrant activity hub, where artists-in-residence have pop-up studios, there are daily and accessible selfled creative activities, and the space is often activated with artist-led workshops and programs. In the centre of the Foyer, the Regional Gallery team will provide a warm, engaging and informative presence, able to provide information about the gallery program and broader cultural tourism offerings across the region.
and timeframes outlined in First Peoples: A Roadmap for Enhancing Indigenous Engagement in Museums and Galleries (Janke, 2018). Our program will provide paid opportunities for professional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to develop and deliver programming, and continue to strengthen our relationships and long-term goals together. These programs will include identified opportunities for Badtjala artists and community representatives. In addition to these key focuses, our program will meet national standards for arts accessibility, and will be rich with programs that engage with, or are led by, people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds. The Fraser Coast Regional Council Art Collection will be strategically developed through Hervey Bay Regional Gallery’s programs, initially commencing with the acquisitive ‘Fraser Coast National Art Prize’, and extending through to a best practice approach for the acquisition and management of art collections. Staff at the Regional Gallery will manage and administrate the Collection, including training in best practice care and handling of artwork. This knowledge will be shared with our community and Council, to increase general understanding of collection management principles and the importance of a Council Art Collection. The Collection will continue to be displayed through appropriate municipal buildings, with Regional Gallery staff facilitating regular rotations of art, as well as curating programming corresponding to the Art and Community Art Collections at appropriate Cultural Services venues, including the Regional Gallery.
Hervey Bay Regional Gallery will have an established reputation for supporting local artists and businesses through its artisan retail shop, programming and café. The modular artisan retail shop will provide flexible use of space to enhance programming opportunities and responsive projects. Products will be comprised primarily of high quality consignment artisan items, with a focus on local artisans within the Fraser Coast and Wide Bay-Burnett regions. Products will consider conscious and sustainable production and packaging. A café housed on the north-eastern section of the venue will run a limited coffee shop service and operate as an independent business leasing the site. The café will assist Hervey Bay Regional Gallery to attract repeated community visitation and enhance tourists’ experiences. Strategic year-round gallery, public and outreach programming will provide interactive, immersive and engaging experiences, which are responsive to local, state, national and international events, celebrations and significant dates. The program will be recognised for its diversity of exhibitions, public programs and outreach opportunities, with a focus on the professional development of local artists, creative development of young people, and programming led by and engaging with our Indigenous communities. Hervey Bay Regional Gallery will commit to delivering, as best as we can, the 5 key elements for change
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OBJECTIVES
1. HERVEY BAY REGIONAL GALLERY WILL BECOME A PLACE OF CONSEQUENCE BY 2027, KNOWN FOR EXCELLENCE, ENGAGEMENT, ACCESSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY ACROSS ITS EXHIBITIONS, OUTREACH AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS.
2. WE WILL SUPPORT PEOPLE TO CREATE, INTERACT, LEARN AND TELL THEIR STORIES BY DEVELOPING AND DELIVERING OPPORTUNITIES THAT CONNECT COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE REGION AND BEYOND.
To achieve this we will:
To achieve this we will:
1.1 Provide opportunities for lifelong learning for people of all ages and abilities through outreach and public programming. 1.2 Develop programs that are truth-telling, compelling, challenging and questioning to re-contextualise our understanding of the past, be constructive in the present, and aspirational for our future 1.3 Reflect industry best practice and the highest standard of excellence in contemporary visual arts practice, gallery operations and collection management. 1.4 Follow the pathways for Indigenous engagement outlined in AMaGA’s “First Peoples Roadmap for Enhancing Indigenous Engagement in Museums and Galleries,” commit to meeting Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan, and provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, project delivery and storytelling. 1.5 Become sustainability leaders in the Fraser Coast region through conscious operational and programming decisions. 1.6 Commit to meeting national industry standards related to accessibility and inclusion. 1.7 Implement continuous improvement and reviewal practices that identify changing needs such as staffing and budgetary resourcing in order to drive strategic objectives and meet community expectations.
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2.1 Deliver diverse, immersive and accessible exhibitions, public programs and outreach that focus on storytelling and high quality community engagement, which are accessible to people of all ages and abilities. 2.2 Create opportunities for artists and cultural practitioners to develop programs and participate in professional development, both at the Regional Gallery and as outreach. 2.3 Bring programs of state, national and international significance to the region to provide opportunities for our community to connect into the larger arts networks and communities. 2.4 Strategically develop annual programs that identify current cultural, social, environmental and creative themes that tie into national and international standards. 2.5 Provide opportunities for local businesses to grow via stocking local artisan products, as well as supporting or developing related economic development initiatives. 2.6 Acknowledge and celebrate the cultural diversity of our community who have shaped and continue to shape the identity of the Fraser Coast.
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3. WE WILL ENGAGE WITH OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN THE REGION AND BEYOND TO ESTABLISH STRONG PARTNERSHIPS AND ADVOCATE FOR OUR CREATIVE REGION. To achieve this we will: 3.1 Commit to meaningful consultation with our community regarding new initiatives and directions. 3.2 Promote contemporary visual art and cultural tourism experiences across the Fraser Coast region. 3.3 Develop collaborative partnership opportunities to extend the Regional Gallery’s capacity, influence and reputation. 3.4 Promote and market the Regional Gallery’s annual program as part of the Fraser Coast region’s cultural tourism experience. 3.5 Support local artists and community groups in their growth, creativity and resilience, as well as supporting the delivery of outcomes at the Regional Gallery, across the Region and beyond. 3.6 Advocate for adequate resourcing for high quality annual programs, new initiatives, facility maintenance, collection management and climate control. 3.7 Provide opportunities for a diversity of artists and communities to engage with art and cultural experiences.
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4. WE WILL RECOGNISE, CELEBRATE AND SUPPORT THE BADTJALA (BUTCHULLA) PEOPLE WHO ARE THE TRADITIONAL CUSTODIANS OF COUNTRY (LAND, SEA AND SKY) ON WHICH THE HERVEY BAY REGIONAL GALLERY OPERATES. To achieve this we will: 4.1 Provide annual and ongoing opportunities for Badtjala artists and community members to develop and deliver programming in partnership with the Regional Gallery. 4.2 Recognise, celebrate and promote the story and histories of the Badtjala people, which will be developed and led by Badtjala people. 4.3 Build strong relationships with the Badtjala people though consultation, collaborative projects, and supporting leadership. 4.4 Commit to partnering with the Badtjala people to ensure the Regional Gallery meets appropriate cultural protocols and respects the Country on which it operates.
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5. WE WILL BUILD AND MAINTAIN AN ART COLLECTION OF STATE SIGNIFICANCE BY 2035. To achieve this we will: 5.1 Develop and deliver exhibitions and programs from the Art Collection with a focus on contemporary art from Australia, and a commitment to Queensland art and artists. 5.2 Strategically develop the Art Collection through acquisitions of artwork that hold local, regional, state or national Significance. 5.3 Manage the Art Collection to best practice standards, including the ICOM Code of Ethics and the National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries. 5.4 Ensure a Council provided annual and ongoing operational budget for the acquisition, conservation and management of the Art Collection.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2027-2021
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GUIDING DOCUMENTS AND STATEMENTS FRASER COAST REGIONAL COUNCIL KEY STATEMENTS AND DOCUMENTS
PURPOSE STATEMENT: BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES
Corporate Plan 2018-2023
https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/corporate-plan
Annual Report
https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/annual-report
Community Plan
https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/community-plan
Our Sustainable Fraser Coast Charter
https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/our-sustainable-fraser-coast-charter
Operational Plan
https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/2369/operational-plan-2020-2021
Smart Communities Plan
https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/downloads/file/1655/fraser-smart-communities-planpdf
Fraser Coast Youth Strategy 2015-19
https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/youth-page/youth-4/3
THEME 2 – SECTION 3 LIFESTYLE: A COMMUNITY THAT VALUES ITS ARTS, HERITAGE AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY 1. Provide facilities and promote activities which celebrate arts and heritage across the region. 2. Support cultural events that highlight the cultural diversity of the region.
FRASER COAST REGIONAL COUNCIL’S CORPORATE PLAN 2018-2023
THEME 3 – SECTION 3 PROSPERITY: A GROWING TOURISM INDUSTRY THAT CAPITALISES ON THE FULL RANGE OF OPPORTUNITIES 3. Work in collaboration with tourism industry bodies, local businesses and all levels of government to build successful visitor experiences.
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INDUSTRY AND BEST PRACTICE GUIDING DOCUMENTS “REACH OUT TO SCHOOLS! DEVELOP AN
Badtjala – English English – Badtjala Word List, Wondunna Aboriginal Corporation 1996
EDUCATION POLICY THAT REPRESENTS
First Peoples: A Roadmap for Enhancing Indigenous Engagement in Museums and Galleries, Terri Janke, Australian Museums and Galleries Association, 2018
THE NEEDS OF SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS AND HOLDS CULTURAL
First Peoples and Australian Museums and Galleries Report, Australian Museums and Galleries Association, 2018
EMPOWERMENT AT ITS CORE.”
First Peoples: Connecting Custodians: draft for consultation, Australian Museums and Galleries Association, 2018; recommendations for update of Continuous Cultures, Ongoing Responsibilities (CCOR) Policy
— Liza Young, HOD Creative Futures, Urangan State High School
National Standards for Australian Museums and Galleries (2016) https://www.amaga.org.au/resources/national-standardsfor-australian-museums-and-galleries United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainabledevelopment-goals/ GLAM Peak and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), GLAM Peak, 2019 Museums and the Sustainable Development Goals: A how-to guide for museums, galleries, the cultural sector and their partners, Curating Tomorrow, 2019 Cultural Gifts Program Guide, 2013 United National Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2007 Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) (AITB) Information Sheet, Arts Law Centre of Australia, 2011 Queensland First Nations Tourism Plan 2020-2025 and Action Plan, QTIC Domestic Arts Tourism: Connecting the Country, Australia Council for the Arts, 2020 The Role of the Arts in Rebuilding Community, Arts Victoria and NFS Consulting, 2011
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REFERENCES .id the population experts. (2020, September 7). Fraser Coast Regional Council | population forecast. Retrieved from .idcommunity: https://forecast.id.com.au/fraser-coast ABS.Stat. (2020). Fraser Coast (R) (LGA) (33220). Australian Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved August 20, 2020, from https://itt.abs.gov.au/itt/r.jsp?RegionSummary&region=33220&dataset=ABS_ R EG I O N A L _ LG A 2 0 1 9 & ge o co n c e p t = LG A _ 2 0 1 9 & m a p l aye r i d = LG A 2 0 1 8 & m e a s u re = M EA S U R E & d ata s e t A S G S = A B S _ R EG I O N A L _ A S G S 2 0 1 6 & d ata s e t LG A = A B S _ R EG I O N A L _ LGA2019&regionLGA=LGA_2019&regionASGS=ASGS_2016 Australia Council for the Arts. (2020). Domestic Arts Tourism: Connecting the Country. Australia Council for the Arts. Centre for the Government of Queensland. (2018). Queensland Places. (D. Stell, & P. Spearritt, Eds.) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: University of Queensland. Retrieved August 05, 2020, from https:// queenslandplaces.com.au/ Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy. (2019). Queensland place names search. Queensland, Australia: Queensland State Government. Retrieved August 05, 2020, from https://www. dnrme.qld.gov.au/qld/environment/land/place-names/search#/search=Pialba&types=0&place=Pialba48347 Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy. (2019). Queensland place names search: Point Vernon. Queensland, Australia: Queensland State Government. Retrieved August 05, 2020, from https://www.dnrme.qld.gov.au/qld/environment/land/place-names/search#/search=Point_Vernon&types=0&place=Point_Vernon46698 Foley, S., & Wondunna Aboriginal Corporation. (2019). Badtjala - English English - Badtjala Word List. Booral, Queensland, Australia: Pirri Productions. Fraser Coast Regional Council. (2020). Marine ‘experience centre’ proposed for Hervey Bay. Hervey Bay: Fraser Coast Regional Council. Retrieved August 31, 2020, from https://www.frasercoast.qld. gov.au/news/article/935/marine-experience-centre-proposed-for-hervey-bay Hervey Bay History. (2015-2016). Hervey Bay: Hervey Bay Historical Village & Museum. Retrieved August 06, 2020, from https://herveybaymuseum.com.au/hervey-bay-history/ Janke, T. (2018). First Peoples: A Roadmap for Enhancing Indigenous Engagement in Museums and Galleries. (T. J. Ltd, Ed.) Sydney: Australian Museums and Galleries Association. NSF Consulting. (2011). The Role of the Arts in Rebuilding Community. Arts Victoria. Steele, J. G. (1984). Aboriginal Pathways: in Southeast Queelsnad and the Richmond River. St Lucia: University of Queensland Press.
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HERVEY BAY REGIONAL GALLERY Stratgeic Report 2020
166 Old Maryborough Rd, Pialba QLD 4655 (07) 4197 4206
