CREATIVE APPROACH TO BUSHFIRE RECOVERY WINS REGIONAL AWARD
The driving force behind a creative project which brought the community together following the devastating 2019 bushfires at Beechmont and Canungra has been recognised as a Cultural Champion.
Jessica Brown was acknowledged at the South West Cultural Champions Awards this week for initiating the Regeneration Program that has enabled residents impacted by the bushfires to work creatively towards recovery and achieve positive community outcomes.
The awards, presented by Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen at the Vonda Youngman Community Centre on Tuesday 8 December as part of Council’s final Arts Dinner for 2020, celebrated the contribution of creatives to the cultural life of their communities.
“Jessica initiated the Regeneration Program, gathering together friends and community members from Beechmont and Canungra and across the Scenic Rim to work with people in trauma in a creative, inclusive and gentle way,” Cr Christensen said.
“Like the bushfire recovery, the project is still very much a work in progress and a mural, sculptures, regular gatherings, men’s group, play, film and book are just some of the community healing projects now underway with Jessica as coordinator.”
Ms Brown said she was surprised to have been nominated for an award and delighted by her win.
“These awards are a beautiful way to celebrate the many amazing artists and arts workers carrying out creative projects within their communities,” she said. “To be nominated alongside so many incredible artists is empowering and encouraging.
“To be recognised in this way is confirmation that the creative pathways that I am developing are acknowledged and valued.”
Ms Brown is looking forward to continuing her creative journey through Council’s prize of a three-day Arts Plus workshop with Goat Track Theatre Company and accessing mentoring with the Making Good Alliance through the Centre for Regenerative Arts on Tamborine Mountain.
“I have no doubt that it will guide my creative journey and I am honoured and thankful for this wonderful opportunity,” she said.
Scenic Rim Arts Reference Group Chair Cr Michael Enright said Ms Brown was among 26 nominees from eight regions, including the Scenic Rim, which are part of the South West Queensland Regional Arts Service Network.
“Those nominated have embraced communities in the wake of bushfires, brought arts workshops to the outback, developed Indigenous heritage trails, run community galleries, used the arts to address isolation and mental illness, shown skill and excellence in exhibition and innovation, supported community theatre, developed dance groups and supported community culture, started choirs, run festivals, lit up the skies, painted murals, lifted hearts, highlighted the plight of our farmers and found new ways of living in the regions,” Cr Enright said.
“To be nominated as a cultural champion is, in itself, an honour and recognises the many hours and tireless support these members of our communities devote to advancing culture in their chosen medium or region.
“Scenic Rim Regional Council would also like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the other Scenic Rim South West Cultural Champion nominees.”
These are:
- Brendan Knight, for his work with the Mununjali Ngari Indigenous dance troupe
- Jeanine Young, who worked with the Mununjali community, Queensland Health and local residents to create four murals for the Beaudesert Hospital’s maternity ward
- Margy Rose, who has contributed to the cultural life of the region over many years through community choirs, live performance, Little Theatre, drama teaching, music teaching and coaching
- BADCAP, the Beaudesert and District Community Arts Association, an extremely active group of passionate, dedicated artists and artworkers committed to providing diverse arts and cultural experiences for the Scenic Rim community and visitors to the region, and
- Brian Cox, a farmer from Kerry, who was one of the organisers of the Legendairy Art Cow Program celebrating the Scenic Rim as a resilient dairy town following the 2016 floods.