2010 Regional Museums Award Winner Announced

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ABC Radio National and Museums Australia congratulate Richmond River Historical Society - based in Lismore, New South Wales - the third museum to win the Regional Museums Award since the Award‟s inception in 2008.

Richmond River Historical Society, formed in 1936, was selected as overall winner because it performed highly across all criteria. It is a very active museum with a big collection preserving all elements of the local history, has a strong volunteer base and works well with all locals including the Italian and Bandjalung communities to tell interesting and inclusive stories about the district.

Now in its third year the 100-plus nominations for the 2010 Regional Museums Award again reflected the extraordinary breadth of organisations preserving the history and telling the stories of communities and, collectively, the nation. The three categories included:

Best Volunteer-run Museum – Richmond River Historical Society (NSW)
Best Small Museum (defined as having total operating costs of $150,000 or less per year) – Narryna (Tasmania)
Best Indigenous Cultural Centre/Keeping Place: Patakajiyali Museum (Bathurst Island, NT)

ABC Radio National's Bush Telegraph program will visit Lismore in October to record a program for broadcast and a representative of Richmond River Historical Society will have the opportunity to attend Museum Australia's National Conference in Melbourne later this month to collect their trophy and participate in the Conference activities.

All category winners and commendations can be viewed at the ABC Radio National Regional Museums Award website, abc.net.au/rn/museums

'Once again Australia‟s regional museums have exhibited extraordinary diversity, resilience and commitment to their communities. They showcase collections and stories that encompass every aspect of Australian life from Indigenous history to transport, mining, textiles, military history and domestic life,' said Jane Connors, Manager ABC Radio National.

'The Patakajiyali Museum, on Bathurst Island, reveals the outstanding work of cultural conservation occurring in local centres 'close to country' in Indigenous communities' said Bernice Murphy, National Director, Museums Australia.
'The award to Patakajiyali Museum reminds us that Indigenous history and leadership is still working to 'keep culture strong', as well as offering a unique cultural history and creative resources to enrich all Australians.'

The Regional Museums Award was developed with the invaluable assistance of Museums Australia to enable some of Australia's smallest organisations – many volunteer-run – to bring their organisations to a national audience. The Awards also seek to highlight the many roles that museums play in their communities that extend beyond the preservation and display of artefacts and include genealogical assistance, tourist destination, education facility and fundraising institution.

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