Australia Day 2022 Honours List | The Art Gallery of Western Australia

We extend a heartfelt congratulations to artist Lena Nyadbi on being awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia for her distinguished service to the visual arts as a contemporary Indigenous artist.

We also applaud AGWA Board Member Carol Innes on her Member of the Order of Australia; Volunteer Gallery Guides Tony Fowler and Judith Hugo, and arts leader Jude van der Merwe on their OAMs. We're delighted their outstanding contributions to our community have been acknowledged and honoured.

Lena Nyadbi has earned an international reputation for her work, painting at Warmun Art Centre since 1998. She spent years learning her craft from Warmun artists, who taught her the techniques of grinding ochre and charcoal, and rubbing the charcoal into the canvas with her hands. Her stunning work Dayiwul Ngarankarni is currently on display in the exhibition Ever Present.

Board Member Carol Innes is the Aboriginal Co-Chair of Reconciliation WA and an incredible advocate for community cultural development and raising the profile of Noongar people in Western Australia. Her unwavering commitment to making a difference in the community through building stronger and more meaningful relationships and fostering a deep appreciation for others is helping to shape AGWA's future as an inclusive and connected Gallery.

Tony Fowler and Judith Hugo have been Voluntary Gallery Guide since 1994 and 1988, respectively. On top of his guiding responsibilities, Tony also served as Trainer of Guides, Treasurer, Vice President and President and was awarded Life Membership in 2014. Tony is also a passionate conservationist, and we're pleased that his long-standing contribution to his community has been recognised.

Judith also served as Trainer of Guides, Roster Secretary, Program Coordinator and President. In 2021 she was awarded, along with Dr Marie Ferland, the Bessie Rischbieth Conservation Award for their work to protect some of WA's culturally significant Aboriginal rock art.

AGWA also congratulates Jude van der Merwe for her acknowledgement in the 2022 Honours List. A passionate and vital arts leader, her contributions to the sector, in various guises from organisational head to curator to festival director, have benefitted our culture in many ways.

Each has significantly contributed to the arts and our community. Whether it be sharing their cultural knowledge, their passion for the arts, championing our artists, ensuring their visibility, and expanding and honouring our connections to the arts of our region.

Congratulations once again.

Related Information

Carol Innes

Appointed in 2020 under Section 6(1)(a) of the of the Art Gallery Act 1959 – Term Ends 2023

Carol Innes is the Aboriginal Co-Chair of Reconciliation WA. Carol is a Co-Director of the Danjoo Koorliny Initiative based in the Centre for Social Impact at the University of Western Australia.

Carol was previously Manager Aboriginal Cultural Heritage & Arts at the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority concentrating on Aboriginal engagement in the urban development projects that the organisation delivers.

Carol has worked across Federal and State government agencies, and in the not for profit area and in Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. Carol has been working in the arts sector for many years. Carol is experienced in government at both State and Federal levels and in the community arts sector and is a certified trainer and assessor, facilitator and advocate of community cultural development. Carol is a mother and grandmother and is a very strong advocate for raising the profile of Noongar people in Western Australia.

Carol has a strong commitment to make a difference in our community to build stronger and meaningful relationships across our community to appreciate each other in all sectors.

Judith Hugo

Tony Fowler

Lena Nyadbi Gija/Kija people, Dayiwul Ngarankarni 2008. National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra. Purchased 2008. © the artist, courtesy Warmun Art Centre.