Winner

Gympie Regional Gallery

Guy Denning: Works on Paper

Created in partnership with international artist Guy Denning and the Gympie RSL, Gympie Regional Gallery delivered a powerful and deeply moving tribute to military service, community memory, and cross-cultural connection. Timed to coincide with Remembrance Day 2024, Guy Denning: Works on Paper honoured Australian and French military personnel through over 180 artworks, including Denning’s full 2018 French memorial series, 23 political mixed media pieces, and 47 newly commissioned portraits of veterans with ties to the Gympie region. 

This was Denning’s first solo exhibition in Australia and the first time his memorial sketches were shown internationally. The Gallery demonstrated exceptional leadership by initiating this cross-sector partnership, commissioning new works, and curating a respectful, inclusive program that bridged contemporary art and veteran communities. A public call-out for veteran photographs ensured local relevance and deep community engagement, resulting in life-sized paste-ups and conte sketches that resonated with audiences. 

Finalist

Clermont Museum

Clermont Museum Open Day

The Clermont Museum is recognised for its careful planning, collaboration and resource management in the development of its inaugural Open Day, held on 7 June 2025. Aligning with Isaac Regional Council’s strategic objectives around community activation, cultural tourism and local identity, the Open Day delivered significant artistic, cultural, and organisational outcomes for the region. 

The Open Day engaged visitors through its rich array of family-friendly activities, including ‘Local History Highlights’ tours, local market stalls, fundraising BBQ and the live steaming of the restored Aveling & Porter traction engine—an iconic symbol of Clermont’s post-flood relocation—offering a rare and emotive living history experience. The unearthing and display of the 1999 Millennium Time Capsule added further depth, revealing community treasures, connecting past and present in a tangible and memorable way.