The North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum has won an award for its research project Stradbroke 100: Remembering North Stradbroke Islanders Overseas and at Home During the First World War.
The museum won the category of ‘Engagement: Organisations with Paid Staff’ in the 2015 Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards (GAMAA).
The winners were announced at a gala event hosted by The University of Queensland Art Museum on November 19.
Lisa Jackson and Elisabeth Gondwe from the North Stradbroke Island Historical Museum said they were humbled to win the award.
“Stradbroke 100 was a substantial research project, which only worked because so many families contributed. It is also an ongoing project because more information, stories and photographs have been uncovered since the exhibition, which add to the project and contribute further to our collective understanding of the past.”
The Stradbroke 100 project began from blank spaces alongside the names of 13 men who had served overseas in World War One listed on the Honour Board in the Dunwich Hall.
Museum staff were intrigued by the spaces and undertook a research project to connect with family members of the service personnel and with families with links back several generations to those living on the island from 1914 to 1918.
A total of 22 men, 14 of whom were Aboriginal, were identified and researched.
The personal stories of the men, their recruitment, war service and resettlement was documented and the Museum used oral histories to capture family memories and experiences of service personnel and life on the island 100 years ago.
Museums and Galleries Queensland executive director Rebekah Butler said this year’s awards recognise a range of inspirational people and projects.
“We commend all those nominated for their remarkable achievements and contribution to the sector.”
