Geelong Gallery — Attraction in Geelong

This is the first time I have been here. The staff were exceptional, going above and beyond what is required to help people have a great experience. It is a privilege to be able to view the Archie 100. I have already seen some of Frederick McCubbin paintings, to view a variety of his paintings and see the styles of paintings is an honour. His paintings have me reflecting on Australian history, especially First Nations history. The era of his paintings is two generations after colonisation and non-Aboriginal people that are painted, I believe would be the second generation of white Australians. The four paintings are the ones I liked the best. Each one spoke to me personally. The most favourite is the painting by William Bustard. He painted a gentleman named Tippo Powder.

William Bustard

born Yorkshire, England 1894, arrived Brisbane 1921, died Brisbane 1973 1 Archibald Prize work 1943

Tippo Powder, Queensland

Police tracker 1943 exhibited as Tippo Powder

1943 Archibald Prize

oil on composition board Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, bequest of Dr Robert Graham Brown 1946

There are only ten known portraits of Aboriginal Australians in the first three decades of the Archibald Prize; William Bustard's portrait of Jetimarala man Timothy Tippo' Powder (1914-72) is one of them.

Powder was born at Yatton Station, Queensland and forcibly relocated to Woorabinda Mission as a child. In the 1940s his skills as a buckjumper at country shows and boxer in Rockhampton boxing stadium were celebrated, and he was known for being an excellent accordion player. He was also a successful tracker, whose expertise in solving missing person cases led to two transfers to Victoria Police in the 1930s and late 1950s. A highly developed knowledge and skill refined by Aboriginal people, the ability to track or 'read' the landscape led to the establishment of Victoria Police's own corps of Queensland Aboriginal trackers in the 1880s.

Bustard was an exceptional draughtsman, who studied at London's Slade School. His urban and rural landscape painting brought him wide recognition and influence. In 1921 he emigrated to Australia and quickly established himself as a stained-glass designer, having restored European medieval church windows damaged during the war.

This captivating portrait, with its radiant palette and free brushwork, presents 29-year-old Powder at the height of his fame in the boxing ring and as a Rockhampton...

Geelong Gallery pairs classical charm with contemporary vitality. The grand entrance opens onto light-filled rooms where colonial landscapes share wall space with bold modern pieces, and the juxtaposition feels fresh rather than forced. Skylights throw soft natural light across varnished floors, making colours glow without glare, while well-pitched labels offer context in plain language so you learn without slowing the stroll. Temporary exhibitions rotate through the central hall and often bring big-city calibre works to a regional setting, giving locals regular reasons to return.

Staff greet visitors with a genuine smile and seem happy to chat about recent acquisitions or offer quick tips on what not to miss. The compact footprint means you can see the permanent collection in an hour yet still find quiet corners to linger, especially in the mezzanine where smaller works encourage closer inspection. A glass wall overlooks Johnston Park, adding a moment of greenery between galleries, and the adjoining shop stocks thoughtfully curated art books and gifts without feeling touristy. Entry is free, donations are gently encouraged, and elevator access keeps the space friendly for prams and wheelchairs. Geelong Gallery succeeds in making art feel welcoming, relevant and...

Terrible experience, They had the public toilets blocked of because of an art show , my elderly mother needed to use the facilities and was told she had to buy a ticket to the show if she wanted to use the toilets , yes she could visit the cresting the gallery for free but she couldn’t use the toilet unless she paid . Oh and no she couldn’t see the rest of the gallery as the only option was to use stairs no ramps for her wheelie walker , so if she wanted to view the rest of the gallery , she would also have to pay as the ramp was also in that section . I’ve never seen a thing so ridiculous and unorganised, the staff were not well informed themselves , we travelled a distance to go to the gallery, my mother was then told she would have to go to the library to access the toilets there or pay for a ticket , even though the rest of the gallery was still free. Absolutely absurd in this day and age , you need to improve if you want to come anywhere near Ballarat or Bendigo art gallery . Totally...