Dept of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
National Collection Trophies to Shine in Naracoorte
A sparkling collection of trophies celebrating the history of agriculture shows and sport will travel to the Naracoorte Regional Art Gallery thanks to the Albanese Labor Government’s Sharing the National Collection program.
On loan from the National Gallery of Australia, the sixteen objects include an AFL goblet, an historic Championship Boxing belt buckle, and multiple works by Adelaide based J.M. Wendt, one of the best-known silversmiths of the 19th century.
Naracoorte Regional Art Gallery is the oldest public regional art gallery in South Australia, located four hours outside Adelaide. It will display these valuable works of art for two years.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the loan is a great gain for people in Naracoorte and the surrounding region.
“Our Sharing the National Collection initiative is getting works out of storage in Canberra and into communities across Australia.
“At any point 98 per cent of our national collection is held in storage. This initiative will allow these normally unseen pieces to shine in Naracoorte.”
Director of the National Gallery of Australia, Dr Nick Mitzevich, said the loan showed cooperation between the Gallery and its regional partners.
“The Sharing the National Collection program allows collaboration with regional partners to curate exhibitions that will resonate with local audiences.”
Chair of the Naracoorte Regional Art Gallery, Julie Earle, said the Naracoorte community had strong ties to the sporting, agricultural and racing industries.
“This has been reflected in the pieces we have chosen from the national collection with the intent of inviting new audiences into our gallery. We look forward to placing these works of art in conversation to highlight stories from the region.”
Sharing the National Collection is part of Revive, Australia’s national cultural policy. The program has provided $11.8m over four years to fund the costs of transporting, installing and insuring works in the national art collection so that they can be seen right across the country.
Regional and suburban galleries can register their interest in the loan program here.
Works can be viewed via the National Gallery’s website.
https://minister.infrastructure.gov.au/burke/media-release/sharing-national-collection-winning-trophies-shine-naracoorte