When journalist and historian Mark Dapin first interviewed Vietnam veterans and wrote about the war, he swallowed (and regurgitated) every popular misconception. He wasn't alone. In Australia's Vietnam, Dapin argues that every stage of Australia's Vietnam War has been misremembered and obscured by myth. He disproves claims that every national serviceman was a volunteer; questions the idea that Australian troops committed atrocities; debunks the fallacy that there were no welcome hope parades until 1987; and rebuts the fable that returned soldiers were met by spitting protesters at Australian airports 1961-1975 -- participation, vietnam war, 1961-1975 -- personal narratives, australian., national service -- australia -- history.

Purchased through the Horsham Art Gallery Trust Fund, 2020

Old uncle is standing on the mountainside watching over the modern-day empires built on Aboriginal land shaking his head, saying: “they are doing it again, every empire has a rise and fall”. It’s something that has never been learnt over time. — Josh Muir Josh Muir’s work, Roots, was the first temporary artwork to be installed on the Gallery Annex Wall on the approach to Alfred Deakin Place, Police Lane in Ballarat Central. The space is an important site to host this work given that Alfred Deakin Place is commonly used as a place of discussion, engagement, protest and performance.Temporary artwork - printed vinyl application to concrete wallnoneelder, aboriginal and torres strait islander

Yearn Hunger Thirst Always on the edge of oblivion, craving sustenance in a dry land. McLean and Kennedy have collected dry materials: hollow pipes, old hoses and worn metal hose fittings. The materials were then wrapped with dyed, frayed fabric, string and yarn to create a piece that expresses the collective longing for rain.Wangaratta Art Gallery Collection. Winner of the Wangaratta Contemporary Textile Award 2019.A sculpture made out of recycled hoses and irrigation fittings that have been wrapped and tied in overdyed yarn, string, fabric stripswangaratta art gallery, wcta, sculpture, cheryl kennedy, linda mcclean

The genesis of this work was an exploration of materials and sustainability, which led to the use of jute twine as the base material - a humble, sustainable fibre, and an unlikely material for the creation of 3D forms. Machine sewn with a simple zig zag stitch, the work contrasts the most basic of materials and equipment with the creation of beautiful and sophisticated objects. Embedded textures are constructed with a variety of threads, yarns and techniques, allowing the minimal palette to highlight serendipitous interplays of form and texture.Wangaratta Art Gallery Collection5 twine bowls of various sizes in a colour palette of black and cream.fiona gavens, textile, twine bowl

In 2019 Peoples undertook a residency at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra. The original proposal was to explore the suburban gardens. However, it was the man-made lake with a different bloom, blue-green algae that held her attention. The still waters of the lake in the early mornings are tranquil. Becoming more familiar with the Lake, details caught Peoples’ eye. However, she realised the only interaction by humans with the Lake were two men who motored a small boat to the centre of the Lake, a hint as to the connection between tranquility and blue/green algae.Wangaratta Art Gallery Collection. Donated by June Brown.A small embroidery using a colour palette of green, orange, blue and brown depicting a scene of Lake Tuggeranong mounted into a purple spectacle case.sharon peoples, textile, embroidery, lake tuggeranong, landscape

In 2019 Peoples undertook a residency at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Canberra. The original proposal was to explore the suburban gardens. However, it was the man-made lake with a different bloom, blue-green algae that held her attention. The still waters of the lake in the early mornings are tranquil. Becoming more familiar with the Lake, details caught Peoples’ eye. However, she realised the only interaction by humans with the Lake were two men who motored a small boat to the centre of the Lake, a hint as to the connection between tranquility and blue/green algae.Wangaratta Art Gallery Collection. Donated by June Brown.A small embroidery using a colour palette of green, red, blue and brown depicting a scene of Lake Tuggeranong mounted into a brown spectacle case.sharon peoples, embroidery, textile, lake tuggeranong

Middle Distance is part of an ongoing project that uses the visual language of architecture and tapestry processes to create jarring spatial experiences. Contrary to its dense materiality and clear-cut linear construction this work appears unstable and in flux. The focus of the viewers’ eye is bucked from point to point and forced to soften in much the same way that one stares into space, disengaged with one’s immediate surroundings. In the end, as Mark Wigley says, “What is experienced is the atmosphere, not the object as such.”1 1. Mark Wigley, The Atmosphere of ArchitectureWangaratta Art Gallery Collection. Donated by Isabel Dunstan.A small black and white cotton tapestry that depicts various styled lines to form a spatial design.britt salt, tapestry, textile

The article is about the drowning 100 years previously of James Irvine, proprietor of Peterborough House and later the Peterborough Hotel.James Irvine was so well regarded that a community collection raised funds to build the Memorial, which still stands today. Five surviving great grand children retain connection to the town.Three page article with current and historic photosjames irvine, james irvine memorial reserve, peterborough, peterborough house, peterborough hotel, drowning

Recipient of the Local Prize, Nillumbik Prize for Contemporary Art 2019. The imprints of eucalyptus ficifolia, eucalyptus polyanthemus, grevilia robusta and casuarina verticillata onto woollen blankets. They tell a story of home and comfort, of legacy and place, of connection and continuity. Large wall hanging comprised of strips of recycled woollen blankets stitched together. Each strip has been printed (eco dyed) with organic matter local to the Shire of NillumbikN/Aeco dying, wool, blanket, wall hanging, environment, botanical printing, nillumbik prize, local prize recipient, eucalyptus ficifolia, eucalyptus polyanthemus, grevilia robusta, casuarina verticillata, nillumbik, karena goldfinch

When I first returned to our family plantations in Bảo Lộc Vietnam, I was given a handful of tea seeds by my late grandmother. Returning to Australia, my family managed to propagate a line of tea plants and seedlings which they still swap and trade with family friends and neighbours; maintaining a culture of storytelling, care and entrepreneurship that has helped them survive both war and political exile. Nillumbik Prize Contemporary Art 2021 winning open artworkMoving Image