Those visiting the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery will be able to explore Australian of the Year stories in greater detail thanks to a touring exhibition that has landed in Launceston for the first time.
The annual exhibit - a collaboration between QVMAG, the National Museum of Australia, and the National Australia Day Council - features significant objects chosen by the eight 2021 Australian of the Year recipients to reveal meaningful stories about their experiences and aspirations.
National Museum director Dr Mathew Trinca said the recipients had selected objects that brought a sense of hope for the future.
READ MORE: Criminal gangs targeted in the North
"Many of the recipients have overcome adversity to drive change in society and contribute to the world. It is these stories we need to hear in times of difficulty, stories that give us hope and inspire us to make change," he said.
QVMAG museum operations manager Karina West said the 2021 tour of the exhibition was limited due to COVID-19 and as such, had only shown in Western Australia before coming to Tasmania.
"Launceston may well be the last stage of the tour," she said.
"I think what is really important about this exhibit is it shows objects are really meaningful to people and objects can be a starting point for a story."
A bronze nozzle from a firefighting hose, a statuette of Ganesh, and a symbolic painting reflecting a journey through medical training were among the objects selected by the recipients of the awards to be displayed.
National Australia Day Council chief executive Karlie Brand said the objects had moved beyond being ordinary possessions to being hugely significant.
City of Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten said the exhibit allowed for the Tasmanian community to celebrate new conversations.
"This exhibition is an opportunity for the community to proudly celebrate all that [winner Grace Tame] is doing to progress the national conversation for sexual assault survivors and to honour community leaders from across Australia and their stories," he said.
The exhibit will be on display until November 28.
What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor:
Dana Anderson
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
