Speech National Trust Foundation Dinner Darwin

12 May 2011

Shane Stone delivered the National Trust Foundation Dinner address. Copy speech attached together with briefing notes on the Review of the Heritage Conservation Act, 1991 dating from 17 November 2003. It is by design that the Northern Territory has one of the most important indigenous collections in the world. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is the premier museum in the NT. The completion of the Museum was an initiative of the first CLP Everingham Government. Each year the MAGNT is the home of the annual Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award (formerly Shell funded the Award for many years). It is Australia's longest running Indigenous art prize. The Everingham Government laid the foundations that were subsequently built upon by successive CLP Governments. In 1991 the Perron CLP Government enacted the Heritage Conservation Act as explained and reviewed in the attached briefing notes. This legislation was critically important to preserving the indigenous heritage of the Northern Territory for the benefit of all Australians. Shane Stone was the longest serving Minister for the Arts in the NT's history, a portfolio he held continuously including as Chief Minister. Over the years many high profile visitors have been attracted to the MAGNT indigenous collection. For example see Archive Images Visit of the Governor-General Sir William Deane and Lady Deane to the NT Museum.

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