November 9, 2025

The Tully Arts and Cultural Precinct Inc. was successful in attracting funding through the CCRC RADF program to engage Cairns based master printmaker Dian Darmansjah to create work for an exhibition “Tradition, Ritual and Community” exhibition at the Tully Masonic Centre in July 2026 to coincide with 100 years of Tully Free Masons. This creative development project will include collaborative processes, teach new skills, enhance professional development for artists and produce quality artworks. Artists will be encouraged to look to their own lives to interrogate the themes of tradition, ritual and community to develop creative narratives which convey individualised perspectives. This project builds on our 2025 artist book project “About Sugar Tully” and will allow artists to incorporate skills learned with new ones. Through the workshop process artists will also engage with and learn from each other, consider what the themes mean for others therein building cultural and community capacity and encouraging diversity. Thank you to CCRC RADF program for the funding to undertake this project. Further details soon.

This professional development project will include a minimum 4 days of professional tuition for local artist participants, a guided process of concept development around the themes of “traditional, ritual and community”, discussion and consideration of material preparation and use and ways to take the project from idea to form. A minimum of two workshops of two days each, with at least 2 weeks between workshops will give participants time to process information and build creative narratives which reflect themes and individual responses. It will give participants opportunities to learn new skills and engage with alternate ways of working. All of this in conversation with a highly skilled arts tutor and practising artist with many years of teaching in tertiary and studio settings.

Every thriving community has a heart – a place where people gather, ideas are shared, and culture is celebrated. For Tully, that heart could soon take the shape of a purpose-built Arts and Cultural Precinct in the centre of town. This exciting project is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about creating a space that tells our story, honours our heritage, and inspires future generations.

The Precinct is planned as a multi-purpose hub, incorporating an art gallery, museum, theatre, gallery shop, meeting rooms, workshop and creative spaces, indoor/outdoor recreational areas, and dedicated offices for the Gulgnay Traditional Owners. It’s a vision designed to serve the whole region – artists, performers, families, schools, community groups, and visitors alike.

At its core, the project seeks to preserve and celebrate culture. For the Gulngay people, the Traditional Owners of the Tully region, the Precinct will provide safe storage and display for traditional objects, while supporting the preservation of language and stories. It’s an opportunity for recognition, reconciliation, and truth-telling – and a step towards ensuring that culture remains a living, shared part of our community.

But the benefits don’t stop there. The Precinct will act as a catalyst for creativity, offering spaces where artists can create, collaborate, and showcase their work. It will attract visitors to the Cassowary Coast, strengthen local businesses, and create jobs – driving both cultural and economic prosperity. For residents, it means greater opportunities to participate in workshops, performances, exhibitions, and community events right here in Tully, rather than travelling to larger centres.

This project also arrives at a significant moment in Tully’s history. As we commemorate 100 years of non-Indigenous settlement in 2024, the community has a chance to commit to a facility that honours the past while looking to the future. The Arts and Cultural Precinct represents a legacy – a gift to current and future generations that will make Tully a more liveable, vibrant, and connected place.

Now is the time to get behind the idea. With the support of community members, local organisations, and regional partners, this vision can become a reality. Together, we can build a precinct that reflects our identity, fosters pride, and ensures that arts and culture have a permanent home in Tully.