About

Mission & Vision

An art and environment precinct like no other, nestled in the foothills of Gariwerd/Grampians National Park

Set to open in April 2025, WAMA ‘Stage One’ will feature a world-class, climate-controlled art gallery, Café, and endemic garden. The 16-hectare site will continue to evolve over the coming years with the addition of extensive landscaping and planting, boardwalks, bird hides, a nature play zone, wildlife encounters, and sculpture trail, complementing and accentuating existing tracts of grassland, bushland and ephemeral wetland.  

 

The WAMA Art Prize 

established in 2021 – will be a permanent fixture in our exhibition program. This biannual prize highlights works created with or on paper, that bring awareness to Australia’s unique and fragile ecosystems.

 

The WAMA Foundation

is a not-for-profit organisation jointly funded by the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund, private philanthropy and donations.

Team & Governance

Pippa Mott

CEO

Ben Mackley

Site Manager

Ash Bird

Curatorial Research Assistant

Holly Riding

Exhibition Designer

Board and Principal Patron

Glenda Lewin

Patron

Returning home to the Grampians after living in Europe for 20 years, Glenda’s love of the region and passion for education led to the creation of the Grampians Wildlife Arts Society, which she chaired for three years. Having successfully established and supported not-for-profit organisations in Australia and abroad, Glenda brought together the like-minded artists and lovers of the region’s unique flora and fauna who were instrumental in bringing the WAMA vision to life.

Greg Lewin AM

Chairman

As an engineer of international standing, Greg returned to the Grampians after a long and distinguished career overseas. Greg is passionate about making WAMA a place that complements and enhances the region as a tourism destination.

Ayesha Burdett

A freshwater ecologist with more than 20 years’ experience in scientific research and museums, Ayesha is excited for WAMA to introduce a new generation to the wonders of the natural world.

Jill Burness

Jill recently retired after 27 years at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Cranbourne Gardens, where she worked on the design and development of award-winning Australia Garden. She believes WAMA provides a much-needed opportunity to showcase the awe-inspiring beauty of the Grampians region through native flora.

John Hawkins

With more than 45 years’ experience in civil engineering specialising in major land developments including wetlands, John is charged with bringing the gallery to life. John believes WAMA will provide a leading example of how to rehabilitate degraded farm and woodlands to conserve our unique flora and fauna for future generations.

Jacqueline Healy

With a decorated and distinguished career in public art institutions, including the National Gallery of Victoria and National Gallery of the Northern Territory, Jacqui believes WAMA provides a unique opportunity to engage and excite new audiences through the intersection of art and science.

Glen Holland

Having spent most of his career running large-scale wildlife tourism destinations in New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia (including Healesville Sanctuary and Werribee Open Range Zoo) Glen’s knowledge of Indigenous cultures, wildlife, and conservation will contribute to a truly unique experience at WAMA.

Lynn Jensz

Having spent most of her life in Stawell and being actively involved in the project from its inception, Lynn believes WAMA will be a tourist destination project like no other, appealing to art, nature, and science lovers alike.

Peter Weston

An experienced company director, Peter is a strong supporter of the role WAMA plays in reconnecting people to nature and is committed to ensuring that the development of WAMA progresses responsibly. 

Ange Turrell

Ange has more than 30 years’ experience in marketing and advertising and is now focused on bringing economic and environmental development into the Grampians region.