I’m absolutely thrilled to share that my painting Burrow and Beyond has won the 2025 QPRC x Bendigo Bank Mayor's Acquisitive Heritage Art Award!
This new $3,000 category was introduced to recognise works that directly reference the natural or built heritage of the Queanbeyan-Palerang region—making the win especially meaningful for me as a Braidwood-based artist.
The Heritage Art Award celebrates artistic reflections on heritage—be it cultural, environmental, architectural, or personal. To have Burrow and Beyond selected as a finalist was an honour; to be announced the winner among such a strong and talented field of artists was an incredible surprise.
The inspiration behind the piece came from the wombats of Braidwood—creatures I’ve come to deeply admire for their quiet, grounded presence in the landscape I call home. Wombats embody the slow, bucolic rhythm of rural life and have become part of our local townscape, often seen waddling through backyards and laneways. This painting is a tribute to their sturdy, unassuming presence and a gentle reminder of the wildlife that quietly shares our spaces.
A heartfelt thank you to the judging panel, QPRC, Bendigo Bank, and the exhibition team for putting together such a beautifully curated and well-considered show. The care and professionalism behind the scenes made it a joy to be involved.
Congratulations to all the other exhibiting artists—your works made for a rich and inspiring exhibition.
Thank you for supporting my work—it truly means the world.
This award is a huge encouragement as I prepare for my upcoming solo exhibition Shared Spaces: The Wildlife Next Door, which will run from August to October at Rusten House. More information to come shortly—watch this space!
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Kahli McLeod
