The Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council’s (WLALC) Murrook Culture Centre has proudly taken home the award for the Visitor Attraction category at this year’s prestigious Inavate APAC Awards. Announced at a ceremony in Bangkok last month, this international contest celebrates the skilful use of innovative technology in projects across the Asia-Pacific region. Murrook Culture Centre Wins Prestigious Inavate APAC Award for Visitor Attraction
The competition was fierce, with 53 finalists from countries including China, India, Indonesia, Singapore, and Australia showcasing impressive large-scale projects. Despite the strong field, Murrook stood out to the judges due to the “intention, thought, and care demonstrated throughout the project’s design, specification, and implementation.” The judges praised the Murrook Culture Centre as “exceptional,” highlighting how thoughtful audio-visual (AV) technology can bring complex and rich stories and heritage to life in a truly wondrous way.
Andrew Smith, CEO of the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, expressed both excitement and humility in response to the win. “Receiving the award is very exciting. It’s also a little humbling because we didn’t set out with the intention of winning awards or seeking accolades for the work we invested into but more so, to provide a culturally safe and authentic way of sharing knowledge and stories in a modern landscape of technology that was both interesting and interactive for all ages,” Smith shared.
He added that the accolade is a significant achievement not only for the Murrook Culture Centre but also for the entire Worimi community and the broader region. “If our centre is the drawcard that attracts numbers to Port Stephens, how good is that,” he said.
Smith also emphasized the eagerness to welcome new visitors to Murrook following the award. “The word has spread pretty fast, and I guess we now need to learn how to leverage this wonderful accolade, not solely to get more recognition but to get people to Murrook,” he said. “Our saying is ‘Experience Murrook, Change Forever,’ and we love that visitors to our centre turn up as strangers and leave as friends.”
The Murrook Culture Centre team expressed their honor in receiving the award and extended their gratitude to the WLALC Board, the Worimi community, and Elders (past and present) who contributed to the project. They also recognized the chief executive officer, staff, and creative partners Art of Multimedia and Command Digital, who played instrumental roles in bringing the award-winning project to life.
Located between Newcastle and Port Stephens, the Murrook Culture Centre serves as a business activity hub for the WLALC, thanks to its resources and strategic location. The centre features a large dining area, administrative offices, and a spacious conference hall, with ongoing improvements continually enhancing the visitor experience.
The Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council remains committed to improving, protecting, and fostering the best interests of its members and all Aboriginal persons within the Council’s area. This award is a testament to their dedication and the success of the Murrook Culture Centre in bridging cultural heritage with modern technology.
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Tony Clemenger.
Chief Executive Officer.
Tel: 0419431649.
Level 1 397 Chapel Street South Yarra 3141.
Source: https://nit.com.au/15-08-2024/13042/murrook-culture-centre-honoured-with-inavate-apac-award
