Local historian Dr Jacqui Durrant to speak at Wangaratta Art Gallery

The Wangaratta Art Gallery Friends Inc will host a talk by esteemed local historian Dr Jacqui Durrant on Thursday, 18 November at 5pm at the Wangaratta Art Gallery. Dr Durrant has worked as a consulting historian and ethnohistorian on over 150 cultural heritage management projects across Victoria and New South Wales, publishing journal articles, book chapters and acting as an expert to produce the five volume report Ngurai-ilam, Waywurru and Dhudhuroa: Their socio-political identity and interrelationships, country and ancestors, to assist the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Federal Court of Australia. She was recently filmed as a guest historian on the SBS series Who do you think you are? and is the region’s most well-known historian. In 2024 Dr Durrant undertook the research for the nomination of the Beechworth Heritage Precinct to the Register of the National Estate, which was listed in August 2024, facilitating Beechworth’s inclusion in the Central Goldfields of Victoria UNESCO World Heritage bid. Dr Durrant will talk to her research, in relation to artist Matthew Harris’s exhibition, Overland, currently on display at the Wangaratta Art Gallery, which traces the regions colonial history. Following her talk, Wangaratta Art Gallery Friends will host their annual general meeting, where the committee for the following year will be elected. The Wangaratta Art Gallery Friends Inc are a not-for-profit group who contribute to the gallery's ongoing operations. They make the gallery stronger by contributing financially for acquisitions for the collection, supporting events and programs, catering and coming together with a common purpose to grow and enrich Wangaratta Art Gallery. In the last year, Gallery Friends have supported the acquisition of two significant works to the collection – Matthew Harris’s large painting Yeddonba, 2023, and a textile work by artist Juanita McLauchlan. Wangaratta Art Gallery director Rachel Arndt said they were very lucky to have such a fabulous group of supporters committed to the success of the gallery. "The gallery was built from the advocacy and investment from supporters," she said. "We wouldn’t exist without them - and we welcome everyone to come and join us for this free event." The event is free and open to all, both members and non-members, with no booking required. The Friends particularly extend an invitation to those who would like to support the development of the gallery into the future, with more information at wangarattaartgallery.com.au.

Local historian Dr Jacqui Durrant to speak at Wangaratta Art Gallery

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