Plaque Unveiled Honouring the Life and Legacy of Local Artist

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following article contains names of people who have died.

On the 15th of September, a plaque was unveiled by the Charles family, together with Griffith City Council Mayor Doug Curran, commemorating the life and achievements of the late Veronica Collins (1962–2022).

It was a historic occasion, immortalising Ms Collins’ esteemed place within the Griffith community and recognising the lasting impact of her work nationally.

Ms Collins was a driving force in the cultural art scene. She was a co-exhibitor with renowned artists Sally Morgan and Bronwyn Bancroft in a touring exhibition that travelled throughout New South Wales.

In 2007, she presented a solo exhibition titled “Our Miah Clarkus”, which she described as one of the highlights of her career.

Collins’ unique voice for change continued throughout her life. In later years, she travelled to Canberra to the Tent Embassy, and even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she led a group of Griffith and greater Riverina locals in a major cultural repatriation project that returned a rare bark painting of a creation figure to its home on Groote Eylandt, Anindilyakwa Country.

The plaque is located outside the Griffith Regional Theatre, alongside the large mural artwork Charcoal Reign. It stands as both a symbol of recognition for Veronica Collins’ remarkable achievements and a lasting tribute to her generous spirit of cultural knowledge sharing.

The unveiling also coincided with the opening of the exhibition Reflection, a retrospective look at Ms Collin’s artistic journey through the years which was on display at the Griffith Regional Theatre from 15 September to 3 October 2025.

Header image courtesy of the Charles family, Photographer: Ginette Guidolin, Left to Right - Michael Charles, Rebecca Charles, Wayne Charles.