Emma Pritchard

For the past six years, her welcoming smile has been a familiar sight at the Lawrence Museum as she greets visitors and works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure each display is perfectly positioned for guests to view, and the unique collection of history housed in the building is diligently maintained.

Last month at the 2022 IMAGinE Awards, Roz Jones was recognised for her significant contributions when she was presented with an Individual Volunteer Acknowledgement Award during the ceremony at the University of Sydney.

Under her experienced guidance and leadership as the Vice President of the Lawrence Museum, the building has undergone a major redevelopment, including the addition of a two-story building with open storage space for more displays.

Describing her award as a really special achievement, Ms Jones said she is extremely appreciative to all of the volunteers at the Lawrence Museum, adding the recognition she has recently received would not have been possible without them.

“It’s teamwork,” she said.

“Nothing like this would happen if I didn’t have a good team around me.”

The Lawrence Museum also featured at the 2021 IMAGinE Awards when it won the Innovation and Resilience category via a live streamed ceremony from Sydney due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Each year, the IMAGinE Awards promote and strengthen the NSW Museum and Gallery Sector, and honour the best practice education programs, outreach projects, exhibitions, collection management projects, and achievements of individuals.

Brett Adlington, CEO, Museums and Galleries of NSW said the IMAGinE Awards highlight the depth of commitment museums, artist run spaces, regional galleries, historical societies, Aboriginal Cultural Centres, and large cultural institutions have in supporting the cultural needs of their respective communities.

As she celebrates alongside her fellow volunteers at the Lawrence Museum, Ms Jones said she is looking forward to welcoming more visitors during the summer holidays, adding Remarkable – Stories of Australians and their boats, comprising seven free standing pull up banners which share 12 stories, canvassed from the breadth of the country, that explore the incredible connections between Australians and their boats, is currently on display at the museum for the next two months.

Presented by the Australian Maritime Museum Council and the Australian National Maritime Museum, the exhibition features a unique, historical collection of interesting characters.

Ms Jones is also encouraging more volunteers to become involved with the Lawrence Museum, especially people to assist with marketing, curating, and publicity.

Anyone interested is invited to call 66 477 588.