Apparently the Wild Dogs from Down Under affected the city of JiuJiang (4.7 million people) as locals were calling the newspaper, the radio and television stations to learn more them.

Initial plans were to end the tour when it arrived back from China but the artists were invited to exhibit at the Gippsland Art Gallery in Sale and the Latrobe Regional Gallery in Morwell before completing the tour back at the West Gippsland Arts Centre in Warragul – extending the project to more than two years!

The Wild Dog project inspired story and highlighted Gippsland, The Wild Dog Artists and their Supporters.

The Wild Dogs from Down Under were awarded with the Arts Business RAVE Award 2007

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The success of this project required the support of a number of people and organisations as acknowledged below…

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The Baw Baw Shire Council have supported this project from the outset, believing in the artists and the concept of the project. 

Mr. Russell Broadbent, MP Electoral Division of McMillan (Vic) for your advice, encouragement and inspiring words.

Paul James Design created the catalogue, the website, invitations and the postcards, providing the group with innovative tools to promote and present the exhibition, the artists and the project. 

Michelle Dunn generously gave her time and creativity to write and edit the project details and artists statements that feature in the catalogue on the website. 

Maree Wallace editor of Baw Baw Country has been a supporter and promoted the Wild Dogs from Down Under on numerous occasions by way of editorials and promotion.

GippslandArtists.com for their generous promotion.

Vision Australia 93.5 FM and Neville Pellitt

Wild Dog Winery created a Shiraz and Chardonnay labelled ‘Wild Dogs from Down Under’ and from each bottle sold, $1 was donated back into the Wild Dog project.   

Tarago River Cheese supports this project and have provided mouth-watering ‘Shadows of Blue’ for all to enjoy at each exhibition opening. 

Des Dillon provided financial support to assist in the production of a promotional video. The DVD was filmed and edited by Magyar Smith Productions. 

Logos Unlimited printed the Wild Dogs from Down Under t-shirts which have made a huge impact on the promotion of the group – logo designed by artist Jenny Murray-Jones. 

The Warragul & Drouin Gazette have followed the Wild Dog story from the very beginning and have provided the group with professional photography, editorial write ups and community awareness. 

West Gippsland Arts Centre Warragul supported this project and provided the space, the ‘Fountain Room’ where the exhibition ‘Gippsland’ was officially ‘Opened’ for the first time by Mayor Cr. Ian Clark and Graham Stapleton who also provided support through Warragul Hire & Drive.

Meeniyan Art Gallery hosted the exhibition during January 2007.  Director Meg Viney coordinated the ‘Opening’ and ‘Artist Talk’; sponsored by Meeniyan Art Gallery and the Shire of South Gippsland. 

Burrinja Gallery hosted the exhibition during Feb / March 2007.  Thank you to Director Ross Furnell and Indigenous Collection Programs Manager Nicholas Boseley for coordinating ‘Artist Talks’ during the exhibition.

Burrinja Gallery, Wild Dog Winery and Tarago River Cheese sponsored the ‘Opening’ while Darryl Whitaker DJWTV filmed the exhibition.

Latrobe Regional Gallery generously donated the use of their International Touring Crates that will safely house the work while it is in transit via sea. 

Latrobe Regional Gallery for hosting Wild Dogs ‘Unleashed’ (new work) on our return from China, a very special thank you to Director Jacqui Hemsley and Curator Sherryn Vardy, also to Mr. Tim Wills, Regional Development Victoria for his wonderful opening speech!

The Gippsland Art Gallery, Sale for hosting ‘Gippsland’ on its return from China and for coordinating Artist Talks by Kerrie Warren & Leonie Ryan. A special thank you to Claire Watson, Curator.

The final exhibition ‘Gumbay’ included works influenced by the artist’s tour to China and was held in the same space where this journey began – at the West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul. The official opening was held on the 7th March 2008.

Thank you to Cr Dick Van Leeuwen, Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Council for his official welcome and to Karen Whitaker-Taylor, Arts & Cultural Officer for being a wonderful MC, a constant support to this entire project and for being part of the delegation to JiuJiang China!

International Power / Mitsui Loy Yang B acquired artworks by Eileen Harrison and Jenny Murray-Jones, providing funds for the artists to travel as part of the ‘Artist Support’ program. 

Jonathan Allen, McKenzie Allen Lawyers collected artwork by Kerrie Warren as part of the ‘Artist Support’ program.

Baw Baw Shire Council acquired artworks by Leonie Ryan and Laurie Collins as part of the Artist Support Program.

Angela Betheras Consultancy managed the packing, shipping and customs requirements of the work during its overseas tour. 

Multiplex Capital sponsored the cost of the Art Partitions that the group was required to install in Queen’s Hall, Parliament House for their exhibition in the first week of May 2007. The partitions were erected with assistance provided by the Rotary Club of Warragul. 

Warragul Hire & Drive generously loaned a truck to transport the exhibition to and from the shipping port in Melbourne. 

Oamps Insurance Brokers Warragul have generously donated financial sponsorship to assist the project and have been a big help in sourcing the necessary insurance required for the journey. 

Peter & Lois Juratowitch created a slide show of JiuJiang and prepared the artists with very helpful tips and advice which came into great use!

The JiuJiang Municipal People’s Government and Ms Wang Ping who embraced us and provided us with interpreters, publicity and the opportunity and means to meet the artists of JiuJiang.  Thank you also to Gale, Mr. Strong and Mr. Yu who assisted and made us feel so welcome.

Also to Vice Mayor Li Wei who arranged a formal reception on the very first night of arrival in JiuJiang.

The S&N International Hotel in JiuJiang who provided a welcoming and warm service, also hosting a very special evening with Ms Betty Yang.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

The Wild Dogs from Down Under were awarded with the Arts Business RAVE Award which was presented on the 5^th May 2007.