Ngununggula, meaning 'belonging' in the traditional language of the Gundungurra First Nations people, is the first regional art gallery in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.
Ngununggula is many things, and foremost it is a gallery for the community funded by the community. Led by a small but growing team and in partnership with the State Government of NSW, Wingecarribee Shire Council, the National Trust, and donors, we have established a state-of-the-art gallery that sustainably repurposes the Dairy and Veterinary Clinic at Retford Park, a property of the National Trust (NSW) donated by the late James Fairfax.
With a focus on visual arts, education, artistic practice, and cultural voice, our program represents the region and beyond through significant exhibitions, artist-led projects, live events, workshops, artist talks, collaboration and cooperation with local schools, and public programs.
At Ngununggula, we have set our sights on becoming the central place for artistic expression, presentation, learning and discovery for generations to come.
For more information about James Fairfax AC and Retford Park and please visit their websites.
Team
Megan Monte
Megan is the inaugural Director of Ngununggula. She was also the inaugural co-founding Director of Cement Fondu (2017-2020) and the Curator of Contemporary Art at Campbelltown Arts Centre (2012-2017). Megan is an experienced arts leader and curator with a deep investment in contemporary art and socially engaged practices to create inclusive and sustainable art spaces. She has a BVA (Sydney College of the Arts), Diploma in Secondary Education (New England University) and a Masters of Arts Administration (UNSW Art & Design). She has received competitive grants, including the Australia Council for the Arts Venice Biennale Emerging Curators Program 2015 and Basel Hong Kong Curator’s Program 2017.
Milena Stojanovska
Milena has a Bachelor Degree in Film and Screen Media Production (Queensland College of Art) and is currently completing her Masters in Curating and Cultural Leadership (UNSW Art & Design). She is the Assistant Director at Ngununggula, and previously held roles at Ipswich Regional Art Gallery and QAGOMA. Milena works across philanthropy, project management and stakeholder management and was responsible for the successful application to the State Government of NSW (Regional Cultural Fund) and secured a significant portion of the capital funding for Ngununggula
Jodie Swan
Jodie has an Honours in Visual Arts (University of Sydney) and a Bachelor of Teaching (University of Technology Sydney). Prior to taking on the role of Creative Learning Manager at Ngununggula Jodie worked in both Sydney and the Southern Highlands as a secondary school Visual Arts teacher. Jodie is responsible for the development and delivery of education and public programs at Ngununggula.
Board
John Alexander
Michelle Belgiorno
Jamie Burreket (Chair)
Jennifer Byrne
Richard Crookes
Aunty Glenda Chalker
Ben Quilty
Keith Wearne
Special thank to our previous Chair, Julie Gillick and Working Committee members: Annabel Baxter, Justin Miller, Susan Brindle, Jennifer Bott, Jeff Moore, Tim Unsworth, Rob Ferguson, Kristie Phelan, Joanne McCauley, Ann Frederick, Larry Whipper and Mark Pepping.