Queenscliff historical exhibition receives state commendation

AN HISTORICAL exhibition in Queenscliff has been lauded for its storytelling, receiving a commendation at the Victorian Community History Awards.

Queenscliffe Historical Society’s exhibition Queenscliffe Revealed: Hidden Histories – New Narratives was recognised as one of the best in the state by Public Record Office Victoria and the Royal Historical Society of Victoria at an awards night in Melbourne earlier this month.

The commendation is the exhibition’s second piece of recognition in the past year, after it was crowned Volunteer-run Project of the Year Award from the Australian Museums and Galleries Association Victoria in October 2023.

The exhibition narrative was designed by Queenscliff Historical Museum volunteers in 2020 and centres on three key themes: Origins and Environment, Creating Community, and Queen of the Watering Places.

It encompassed 26 stories and new and original research focusing on social, economic and the architectural history of Queenscliff.

The exhibition provides an overview of the development of the Borough of Queenscliffe and importantly documents the introduction, welcome and significance of Country in partnership with Traditional Owners.

Exhibition lead Lesley Alway said securing a commendation was a huge honour.

“The awards are very prestigious and to know we put it completely together virtually during COVID, makes us very proud.

“It’s a great reward for our team of 30 volunteers who put so much effort and hard work into researching, writing and sourcing material to make this an amazing exhibition for our community.

“It gives us great confidence moving forward for future projects we undertake, including our next one about Swan Bay and Swan Island which will begin in the coming months.”

For more about the exhibition, head to historyofqueenscliffe.com