On Thursday 21st November, museums, galleries, and Aboriginal cultural organisations from across NSW gathered at Paddington Town Hall to celebrate the announcement of the 2024 IMAGinE Awards, and among them is the Hawkesbury Regional Museum.
This prestigious annual event honours the remarkable accomplishments of cultural institutions and individuals. This year’s winners highlight extraordinary excellence in exhibitions, community involvement, and initiatives for accessibility.
Hawkesbury Regional Museum won the award for 11 Stories From the River Dyarubbin in the Engagement category.
11 Stories From the River Dyarubbin was a community engagement project resulting in 11 audio walks that share the river’s stories to enhance its care and understanding. Dharug narrators guide the listener through stories from 80+ contributors, underscored with original music, and made available through a collaborative exhibition and website.
The IMAGinE Awards is an initiative by the Museums & Galleries of NSW and provides an essential platform to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and dedication of museums, galleries, and Aboriginal cultural centres.
Judges were particularly impressed by the emphasis on community engagement, inclusivity, and accessibility—especially among smaller and regional organizations that are achieving meaningful results despite limited resources.
Brett Adlington, CEO of Museums & Galleries of NSW, said “The IMAGinE Awards continue to celebrate and champion the extraordinary efforts of our cultural sector.”
“The work recognised this year reflects an inspiring commitment to creativity, inclusivity, and community impact, strengthening the cultural landscape of New South Wales and enriching the lives of our communities,” Brett said.
Find out more: 11 Stories from the River Dyarubbin – Hawkesbury Regional Museum
Last year, the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery was awarded the Exhibitions Project Award – Small Gallery for its ‘Dyarubbin’ exhibition project.
The Hawkesbury Regional Museum received an Engagement Programs Award – Small Organisation for its ‘Bangadyawi Nawi Making a Canoe,’ a collaborative project between the Museum, the Dharug community, and the Brewongle Environmental Education Centre.
