Ned Kelly Discovery Hub

Client: Rural City of Wangaratta

Location: Glenrowan, VIC

Completed: 2023

Collaborators: Content Studio, Pidgeon Ward, The Pod, Show Works

Convergence’s curation and interpretive design for the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub provides a fresh and contemporary presentation of the context and events of the Glenrowan Siege within a purpose designed building. Both building and interpretive approach are suitably respectful to the site of the Glenrowan Siege, a place of State and National Heritage significance while providing an engaging interpretive design and narrative.

Convergence collaborated with architects Content Studio, graphic designers Pidgeon Ward and multimedia developers The Pod to bring this important reinterpretation to fruition. The hub immerses visitors in the detail and background of Ned Kelly’s last stand at the place where it happened.

A range of interpretive techniques focus on the context of the Kelly outbreak, the people involved and details and consequences of the Siege of Glenrowan, giving visibility to hostages, police, sympathisers and other observers.

The Ned Kelly Discovery Hub has been widely recognised for its interpretation, architecture and economical impact:

  • Winner - Best Regional Industry Contribution Award at the Parks and Leisure Australia National Awards

  • Winner - Lysaght Inspirations Design Awards 2024

  • Shortlisted - 2024 Victorian Museums and Galleries Award Large Project of the Year

  • Winner - 2024 Interpretation Australia National Award for Excellence. The judges noted:

    “Set within and designed with a spectacular building, this interpretation encompasses the passion of the story it tells. It envelops the visitor within the story through placement and the selection of lighting and materials which enhance the indoor environment to be evocative of a slab hut in a bushland setting. The interpretation tells the many stories of the one theme being strong in its narrative through the conception of the visitor centred around a singular topic”.

  • Shortlisted - 2024 Interpretation Australia Medal for outstanding project achievement in interpretation

  • Shortlisted - 2024 Premier’s Design Award

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  • What a fantastic morning yesterday- as I said then, and I say now, I am proud to have been part of this project. It has surpassed every that I was hoping for. The building itself is amazing, the inside incredible. The work on this project by everyone has been phenomenal. It stands up against any of the national and international centres I have visited. I am proud to take my family and friends there.

    Noeleen Lloyd - Kelly Gang descendant

  • Not sure what I expected but everything about the centre exceeding anything I had hoped for - literally stunning and as a family member - the personal, sensitive and factual way it has been presented was very moving. I was so awestruck I didn’t dwell on much of the detail at all but was rather just enjoying the feel and presentation in general.

    Anthony Griffiths - Kelly Gang descendant

Next

Beechworth Courthouse Kelly Trials