The good news continues for the newly installed Boorp Boorp Boondyil exhibition at the historic Castlemaine Market Building, with the announcement that exhibition celebrating local Indigenous culture has won a national award.
Boorp Boorp Boondyil, which means ‘passing knowledge on to our children’, was selected as the winner in the Indigenous Recognition category of the 2023 National Awards for Local Government.
The awards highlight initiatives implemented by local governments that are innovative, make a difference to their local communities, display excellence, and have outcomes that are replicable across the country.
Boorp Boorp Boondyil exhibition co-curator and Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson was presented with the award on Tuesday morning in Canberra by the Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Kristy McBain.
“It’s been a great experience working on Boorp Boorp Boondyil and the outcome has been outstanding,” Uncle Rick Nelson said.
Mount Alexander shire mayor Rosie Annear, council’s chief executive officer Darren Fuzzard and exhibition project manager Donna Spiller were also in attendance to receive the award.
This is the second award that Boorp Boorp Boondyil has received this month, with the exhibition selected as one of the inaugural winners of the 2023 Maggolee Awards, an initiative of Reconciliation Victoria.
“How special to be in Canberra with Uncle Rick having Boorp Boorp Boondyil recognised with a national award,” Cr Annear said.
“This exhibition was a dream for many years, and seeing it come to fruition the way it has, and to now have such a beautiful sharing of Indigenous culture, housed in the heart of Castlemaine, is joyful and rewarding.”
Boorp Boorp Boondyil opened in October 2022 at the Market Building in Castlemaine and features range of stunning artworks by Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists designed to offer an immersive and interactive insight into Jaara culture, Country and community.
Boorp Boorp Boondyil is open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9am to 5pm at the Castlemaine Market Building, 44 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine.
