March 17, 2026
Art lovers have a rare chance to see three of the South Burnett Regional Council’s Acquisitive winning artworks this month at Wondai Regional Art Gallery.
Works by well-known local photographer John Dalton fill the walls of the main gallery.
His portrait “Black Anzac” won the 2021 Acquisitive prize while his study “Dark Eyes” took out the 2022 prize.
John’s works are accompanied by small quotes which aim to “provoke contemplation and conversation”.
In the front gallery, works by father and daughter artists Les and Barbara Stewart are featured.
Barbara won the 2024 Acquisitive with “Gumoo Goong”, which shows platypuses in a stream.
She told the opening night crowd that she had grown up watching her father paint.
Uncle Les said it was his way of teaching Barbara about stories as well as learning how to sit and focus.
In the back gallery, artist Ina Patterson has “A Few Of My Favourite Things”, paintings which are part of her unique project to “pay it forward” (see separate report).
Artworks by students from Murgon State School are in Kidz Korner.
The exhibitions will remain open until 3:00pm on March 28.
Wondai Regional Art Gallery is open from 10:00am to 3:00pm, seven days a week. Entry is free.
Footnote: In a surprise on opening night, gallery president Elaine Madill told the crowd she would not be re-standing for the position at the gallery’s upcoming AGM however she intended to remain on the committee. Gallery patron, Deputy Mayor Ros Heit, said the committee would be asked to rename the front gallery, the Elaine Madill Gallery. The centre gallery, the Alison Iszlaub Gallery, honours the gallery’s first president who died in 2018.
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