Helen gets a progress report on the Outback Way Outdoor Gallery, from Project Manager Mel Forbes. The gallery will be installed along the Plenty Highway along the Outback Way. We covered the initial phase of the project back in Season 2, Episode 20, so if you haven't listened to that yet we do recommend catching up on that episode too. Lots has happened since November last year when the Outdoor Gallery competition was open. There are now 28 artworks selected for display on the 28 billboards and Mel shares a bit about the talent that has been attracted to the project. We received over 70 entries of artwork from artists, communities and art centres from along the Outback Way. It's a wonderful result that surpassed our expectations and it shows the real desire and thirst in remote Australia to have artwork that is displayed in a very different place-the landscape of the outback instead of inside the walls of a building.

Mel also recaps the concept behind the Outback Way Outdoor Gallery, the different places and communities the artwork comes from and what the selection process was for the final artworks. She tells us about the selection process for the final 28 artworks, as well as about the mobile hot spot infrastructure that is also going to be installed too. Mel and Helen discuss the way Covid-19 has impacted the project, and share the good news that so far it will still be going ahead. While a final date for the gallery isn't yet known, the online catalogue will be ready by June and there will be some prints and originals available for sale as well. So stay tuned for that!

Thank you for tuning into the Outback Way podcast. If you are enjoying our podcast, please leave us a review. And if you're really enjoying our podcast, you may like to become a contributor: through our Outback Way store for $5 you can help with the production of our podcast.

Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @OutbackWay1

You can find all notes and links on our website, www.outbackway.org.au where you can subscribe to our newsletter, buy our guidebook and download the app if you haven't already. Join us on Facebook and Twitter @OutbackWay1

Send your questions, comments and travel stories to [email protected] and if you share your story, we may even feature you on this podcast! Thank you for joining us through the heart of Australia, on Australia's longest short cut.

The Outback Way Podcast is produced by Perk Digital.

From across the Outback Way we acknowledge the Koa People, Pitta Pitta People,  Wangkayuju People, Wangkamahdla People, Arrernte Nation, Anangu People, Yarnangu People, Wangkatja People as traditional custodians and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands The Outback Way traverses.

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The Outback Way has become a symbol of resilience, connection, and progress, weaving together the diverse landscapes and communities of Australia's heartland.

 In celebration of the  25-year journey of advocacy and lobbying to the funding announcement to complete the seal, the Outback Highway Development Council is proud to present ‘From Bulldust to Bitumen – 25 Years of the Outback Way’. A book that captures the spirit, history, and future vision of this transformative project.

Order your copy and be part of the journey that continues to shape Australia's outback, it’s people and the nation. 

Head over to our website and order yours today  W: outbackway.org.au

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You can find more information about this podcast on our website, www.outbackway.org.au where you can subscribe to our newsletter, buy our guidebook and download the app if you haven't already. Join us on Facebook and Instagram @OutbackWay1

Send your questions, comments and travel stories to [email protected] and if you share your story, we may even feature you on this podcast! Thank you for joining us through the heart of Australia, on Australia's longest short cut.

The Outback Way Podcast is produced by Perk Digital.