Morwell "hopes and dreams" exhibition showcased at Parliament House
Following a successful showing at Switchback Gallery in Churchill last year, the ‘Our hopes for the future of Morwell’ photographic exhibition will be showcased at Queen’s Hall from 21-25 May.
It will feature 28 photographs of community groups and members holding objects symbolising their hopes for the future of Morwell.
The exhibition was developed by the Federation University-based Community Wellbeing team within the Monash University-led Hazelwood Health Study, in collaboration with Morwell Neighbourhood House and Gippsland Centre for Art and Design at Federation University.
The project came to fruition following extensive consultations with local groups about ways to strengthen community wellbeing and recovery post Hazelwood mine fire and power station closure.
Community groups and members chose to be photographed with images that symbolise their hopes for the future. The resulting photographic images express their contributions to a positive conversation about the future for Morwell.
The event was attended by a significant number of the local community, media and Members of Parliament.
“Taking the exhibition to Spring Street is important, because it demonstrates that this community, which has suffered a number of setbacks including the Hazelwood mine fire, and the subsequent closure of the mine and Hazelwood power station, is showing resilience and optimism in the face of adversity,” Dr Sue Yell, Community Wellbeing Research Lead and exhibition organiser, said.
“Featuring this exhibition at Victoria’s State Parliament will shine a much-needed positive light on this vibrant community, and will also show them that their voices are heard beyond the Latrobe Valley.”
There are plans for the exhibition to be shown in Dungog in the Hunter Valley later this year, and to put it on display locally in Morwell.
“The Latrobe Valley’s communities are innovative, close-knit and extraordinarily resourceful, and it’s important to recognise our strengths and opportunities through events like this exhibition,” Harriet Shing, Member for Eastern Victoria Region, said.
For more information about the Hazelwood Health Study, visit hazelwoodhealthstudy.org.au