Malka Aboriginal Art Prize

The Hon. T.T. NGO (15:08): My question is to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Can the minister tell the council about the Malka Aboriginal Art Prize exhibition held in Port Augusta?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:08): I thank the honourable member for his question. I know the honourable member is a very fond and regular visitor to many of our regions and many Aboriginal communities, including areas around Port Augusta. He was a very capable Chair of the South Australian parliament's former Aboriginal Lands Parliamentary Standing Committee, so he is very familiar with many of our areas in South Australia and many of the achievements of Aboriginal people and Aboriginal communities.

I spoke recently in this chamber about spending time during NAIDOC Week in Port Augusta for celebrations earlier this year. It was fortuitous timing that I was able to be in Port Augusta during NAIDOC Week while the Malka Aboriginal Art Exhibition prize was also on display in the Yarta Purtli Art Gallery in Port Augusta for the 15^th year of this Aboriginal art prize. This prize was initiated by the late Mr Marvin McKenzie Senior, who had a vision for an Aboriginal art show that ensured the Aboriginal community would have a space to showcase their work and culture.

'Malka' is a word used by several Aboriginal nations within the greater Port Augusta region, meaning 'mark' or 'painting'. This year's exhibition attracted 55 extremely high-calibre entries right across the Far North, Mid North and Eyre Peninsula regions, and offered a $5,000 grand prize, sponsored by Bungala Solar Farms, with $2,000 worth of art supplies sponsored by the NIAA and a free solo art exhibition at the gallery next year.

I had the distinct pleasure of viewing all the incredible entries at the exhibition in Port Augusta, and if it was up to me I would have given a prize to every single entry. When I was up there viewing the paintings the prizes hadn't been awarded, but the organisers took great delight in trying to have me guess which I thought would win the various categories. It was easy for me because I gave prizes to every painting entered in all the categories. But, sadly, that is not how competitions work and winners were chosen.

I am very pleased to say that this year artist Josephine Lennon from Ceduna Arts won the 2024 major prize, with a remarkable painting titled Fire (Waru). Josephine also took home the well-deserved People's Choice Award, as voted by the members of the public who visited the gallery during the weeks leading up to the final voting. At this year's art prize there was also a new category for the Flinders Ranges and outback regions of South Australia, with the inaugural award being given to two joint winners: artists Margaretta Alington and Maisie Winton from Port Augusta and the Davenport communities respectively.

The winner of the Elder prize was artist Verna Lawrie, a well-known member of the Ceduna Arts Group, whose striking painting depicted the seven sisters dreaming story. A further award that was very well deserved was the Port August City Council junior artist award that went to Makira Buzzacott. Congratulations to all winners who made this year's Malka Aboriginal Art Prize in Port Augusta such a special event. I can't wait to have a look next year at all the entries and the well-deserved winners.