In early May our Virtual Museum: to be known and distinguished as Carnamah was short-listed for the Permanent Exhibition or Gallery Fitout section of the awards. We were in exceptionally fine company with most of the other finalists being state and national institutions.
At a ceremony in Launceston on 17 May, following a few failed attempts at pronouncing Carnamah, we were announced the Level 1 winner!
"A small society with an innovative solution to extending their audience and sharing a larger proportion of their collection with the community. The website is very creative with excellent production values and interpretative images and narratives." - MAGNA 2014
Our virtual museum began with three online exhibitions in 2011 but tripled in size during 2013. In order of their popularity, starting with the most popular, they are Midland Railway, Toys, Milk Cream & Butter, Macpherson Family, Business Houses, Ready Made Farms, Post Office, 10 Macpherson Street, Town and Roads to Government.
"The Museums & Galleries National Awards program encourages excellence and recognises the significant positive impact of our highest achievers in contributing to the sector by establishing benchmark excellence in Exhibitions, Public Programs, Indigenous projects, and projects and developments that promote ethical and sustainable practices." - Museums Australia
We'd like to thank:
- The Department of Culture and the Arts for supporting the 2013 expansion of our virtual museum
- ABC Mid West and Wheatbelt for spreading our good news on the airwaves when we were short-listed (listen above) and again when we won
- The many individuals and organisations who have expressed their support and congratulations in person, by e-mail, telephone and on Facebook and Twitter
- Museums Australia for the wonderful award
