The Yugambeh Museum - Language and Heritage Research Centre, located at Beenleigh, and Logan Art Gallery have been honoured at the Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards (GAMAA) 2008, held last Thursday in Brisbane.
The museum won a GAMAA for the "Organisations: Staff of up to 6" category, for its innovative Drumley Walk project, while the art gallery was given a Special Commendation in the same category.
Logan Mayor, Councillor Pam Parker, congratulated the staff of both organisations for the awards.
"Both awards recognise the cultural diversity we embrace here in Logan, so I am proud of the recognition given by Museum & Gallery Services Queensland," Cr Parker said.
"The Drumley Walk is an annual three-day walking pilgrimage following the footsteps of Billy Drumley who regularly completed the long journey across Yugambeh country during the early 1900s to visit his sister Jenny Graham who lived with her many children and grandchildren.
"Billy Drumley is remembered with great admiration throughout the region and his community still regard him as a local hero. The Drumley Walk is undertaken by many members of the local community to keep the stories of his life and times alive. The Drumley Walk began in 2005 as private tribute by a small group of relatives, including walk Director Rory O'Connor, who works at the Yugambeh Museum, and I offer my congratulations to all involved."
Mr O'Connor said the museum was dedicated to the ongoing research and preservation of the traditions and cultural heritage of the Yugambeh Ancestors. The museum has exhibition and training facilities and an extensive collection of historical resources relating to the local area.
"This year we worked with Snr Sgt Craig Hintz from Beenleigh police to bring kids-at-risk and students from Beenleigh High along," Mr O'Connor said.
"They walked the entire way and really learnt a lot about themselves. It is quite rewarding to see our little event offering opportunities to local youth," he said.
Logan Art Gallery was awarded a Special Commendation in conjunction with Redcliffe City Art Gallery for their joint nomination, Blast! The influence of Manga and contemporary Japanese culture on Australian artists exhibition.
Community, Sport and Customer Services Committee Chairperson, Councillor Hajnal Ban, received the award on behalf of Logan City Council last night.
"It was an important exhibition for both communities of Logan and Redcliffe," Cr Ban said. "It successfully engaged youth from both regions, helping to create stronger links with younger audiences through relevant content and innovative public programs, and addressed inclusiveness of local Japanese communities and encouraged an understanding of their unique culture within the wider public.
"A large proportion of our regions encompass migrant and younger communities and we feel quite passionate about our role in supporting their engagement with arts and culture. However, most importantly we feel the project's strength was its spirit of collaboration between the teams at both venues. The Blast project facilitated leadership and mentoring between staff and volunteers, and fostered sharing of creativity and innovation between institutions."