Council eBook wins award

A photo of a child reading an eBook on a tablet.

The Yarra Ranges Regional Museum has received The Archival Survival Award for Small Museums/Galleries (2-7 Paid Staff) for its interactive eBook My Home Yarra Ranges.

My Home Yarra Ranges was recognised for promoting the Museum’s collection in a new, innovative and creative way at the 2020 Victorian Museums and Galleries online event, which was held by AMaGA on 8 December.

The Museum was further commended for its support of the creative industries by engaging with local artists and designers to produce the eBook.

The free eBook was launched as part of Yarra Ranges Council’s 2020 spring school holiday program, and in response to the Museum’s venue closure due to COVID-19.

My Home Yarra Ranges was developed as an online resource for the Museum to continue delivering its rich and engaging experiences to children and families. It also served to maintain a sense of place and community through the local stories and images woven throughout the book.

“We’re thrilled that My Home Yarra Ranges has been recognised in the 2020 Victorian Museums and Galleries Awards,” Yarra Ranges Mayor, Fiona McAllister, said.

“The book features the iconic places and animals of Yarra Ranges and connects them to the people and objects in the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum to present the history of the region in an approachable, accessible way for young people and families.

“My Home Yarra Ranges was one of Council’s many projects to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic and provide community members with a chance to be informed and entertained in a year where events have been cancelled and venues temporarily shut. I encourage all families to download the ebook for some fun school holiday activity.”

My Home Yarra Ranges follows the journey of Yelli, a Helmeted Honeyeater and Bo, a Leadbeater’s Possum as they visit places across the Yarra Ranges and uncover stories about people, objects and images from the Museum’s collection. The eBook is also intertwined with puzzles, games and colouring pages produced by local artists.

Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson congratulated the AMaGA award winners, including Yarra Ranges Regional Museum.

“Our museums and galleries play a vital role in shaping Victoria’s cultural identity – they connect us with the past, tell our stories, fuel our imaginations and inspire us to dream for the future,” he said.

“They have also played an important role in getting us through the challenges of 2020, providing rich online experiences and working behind-the-scenes to welcome back visitors in a COVIDSafe way.”

My Home Yarra Ranges is still available to download for members of the community and can be found online at yarraranges.vic.gov.au/MyHome

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