In 2011, entries were judged in two main categories - projects with a budget over $20,000 and those with a budget under $20,000. The team of five judges had the opion of awarding Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards in each category. Entries which satisfied the criteria for National Excellence were awarded a Commendation Award. A Judges’ Choice Award was made to a project that was particularly outstanding and innovative.
Once again, IA acknowledges the generous support of Armsign as award sponsors.
The winners for 2011 were:
Projects under $20 000
There were no Gold or Bronze awards in this category for 2011.
Silver Award: Michele Bain of Designhaus for the Australian Giant Cuttlefish project
Team members:
- Michele Bain, Designhaus
- Nick Cureton, Designhaus
- Ochre Digital
Citation:
This captivating project, which exudes passion from the designer, encompasses eight interpretive signs that clearly demonstrate the power of good interpretive to foster public support and raise awareness of environmental issues. A combination of clear thematic messages, innovative use of colour, and compelling, conversational and easy-to-read language, forges an emotional connection between visitors and the Australia Giant Cuttlefish.
Watch a short presentation about this project.
Projects over $20 000
Gold Award: Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority for the Conservation and Interpretation of the Separate Prison, Port Arthur
Team members:
- Peter Romey
- Jane Harringont
- Jo Lyngcoln
- Greg Jackman
- Julia Clark
- John Featherstone
- Ross Reid
- Members of the buildings & works crew
- Members of the grounds & gardens crew
- Design 5
- Tonkin Zulaikha Greer
- Lynda Warner
- Red Arrow
- Wax Sound Media
- Aegres
- Glasson Murray Group
Citation:
The Port Arthur Separate Prison is one of the most significant buildings at the Port Arthur Historic Site. The building itself has become an interpretive tool, supported by the subtle use of text, images, touchscreens and reconstructed cells. All work was guided by the Burra Charter, current best practise standards of heritage management, and an interpretation strategy. The haunting engagement between visitor and place is created through the incredible sense of isolation and the evocative soundscapes echoing through the building. Calculated restraint was shown in the planning of this project, rejecting ‘over the top’ possibilities and instead opting to use best practise in interpretation that reflects the building’s level of integrity. This has resulted in clear and measurable outcomes exceeding the expectations of the site staff.
Watch a short video about the Separate Prison interpretive project.
Silver Award: Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority for the PAHSMA Education Program
Team members:
- Jane Harrington
- Jody Steele
- Sarah Stockwin
- Julie Clark
- John Featherstone
- Naomi Jeffs
- Members of the building & works crew
- Members of the grounds & gardens crew
- Members of the conservation & infrastructure department
- Members of the Port Arthur guiding staff
Citation:
Creative, innovative, cost-effective and underpinned by a sound knowledge of interpretation – these are the ingredients that create the perfect recipe for the success of the Port Arthur Education Program. With the introduction of the new National Education Curriculum, an opportunity presented itself to evolve the old programs. So with the resources available at the site – documents, artifacts, buildings and the landscape – the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority was able to create a historically accurate and rich range of activities.
The PAHSMA Education Program was built around the historic site’s tradition of thematic interpretation, underpinned by the understanding that interpretation should be:
“an educational activity which aims to reveal meanings and relationships through the use of original objects, by firsthand experience, and by illustrative media, rather than simply to communicate factual information.” (Tilden, 1977:8).
Rather than fill the students’ heads with dates, facts and figures, the aims is to help them discover the joy of interpretive history and to provide then with the skills to begin the journal of discovery themselves.
Watch a short video about the Education Program.
Bronze Award: Futago for the Battery Point Sculpture Trail
Team members:
- Judith Abell
- Chris Viney
- Futago
Citation:
Battery Point Scultpure Trail offers an exciting and progressive fusion of public art and interpretation. Nine sculptures mark out key points along the trail, each incorporating evocative interpretive text revealing a story or quirky aspect of the local area. The innovative application of resources and the use of numbers as a connector have allowed the audience to become totally engaged in what was once an underutilised public space.
Watch a short presentation about this project.
Judges’ Choice Award: Michelle Desailly of Parramatta City Council for DigiMacq: Parramatta and the Spirit of Lachlan Macquarie
Team members:
- Michelle Desailly
- Bill Nethery
- Daniel Woo
- Beata Kade and team, Art of Multimedia
- Clancy Matthews
- Terry Kass
Citation:
DigiMacq is an excellent example of how to engage people through the integration of app technology and interpretation techniques. Based on storytelling which uses audio and visual techniques though a mobile digital app, visitors are delivered an animated experience which allows them to explore Parramatta, where the stories are brought to life in a way that respects and appropriately presents the story and collection of illustrations of Lachlan Macquarie. Another inventive component of this project is its ability to capture the visitors’ attention through unlocking secret codes at six key sites to expose a feeling of discovery.
Watch a video about the DigiMacq application.
Commendation Award: Scenic Spectrums and Evolve Solutions for the Kinjarling Trail and Stories Strategic Plan 2010
Team members:
- Jeremy Hunt
- Dennis Williamson
- Ursula Williamson
- Peter Backshall
- Richard Hammond
Citation:
This three-part plan is for an integrated interpretive pathway (the Kinjarling Trail) that builds on and extends existing trails and dual use tracks, over an area of 900 square kilometres around Albany and its hinterlands. Reflecting good research techniques and community consultation, this plan has a strong interpretive component, relating in particular to Aboriginal and European cultural and environmental stories.
Watch a short presentation about this project.
