Partner Projects Announcement 2025-2026
In September 2025, Wikimedia Australia invited Expressions Of Interest (EOI) from Australian organisations and individuals to deliver a project engaging with one or more Wikimedia platforms, including Wikipedia, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons or others. There were many worthy project applications; however, funding has been awarded to the following organisations and individuals to enhance the presence and reliability of Australian information on Wiki platforms and provide hands-on practical training to new editors.
Barayamal: Regional Mentor Blaze on-Wiki
The Regional Mentor Blaze on‑wiki project will boost participation and representation from regional First Nations communities in Wikimedia platforms. Partnering with Barayamal, a First Nations Entrepreneurship program, the project will pair new editors with experienced mentors in fast, practical “mentor‑the‑editor” sessions. Content creation and editing will focus on local business history and notable First Nations entrepreneurs, while ensuring neutrality, using reliable sources, and providing strong citations.
This project addresses two of WMAU’s priority areas: First Nations and Regions. Awarded $10,000.
Project Contact
- Dean Foley, Barayamal
Refresh Threatened Species Lists and Create an Australia-specific Threatened Species List
Wikipedia User:Pengo will undertake work to improve and refresh the code behind the lists of threatened species on Wikipedia. The project's goal is to help keep biodiversity information on Wikipedia accurate, readable, locally relevant. This will be done by creating automated tools to aid in the creation and maintenance of similar ones and to update and expand Wikipedia’s lists of threatened species. Developer and long-time Wikipedian Pengo Wray, who designed the “conservation status” icons used in species infoboxes, will lead the software development effort.
Pengo stated in their application that “Regional biodiversity is culturally important to many, and my aim is to keep this knowledge readily accessible through Wikipedia, where the information can be immediate and explorable within the context of the large number of supporting Wikipedia articles.” Awarded $5,000.
Project Contact
- Pengo, Australian Wikipedian
AMaGA: Building Digital Skills, Sharing Stories, Sustaining Culture
This project will deliver targeted training to Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) staff and volunteers on Wikimedia platforms. These newly trained users will then review and strengthen the representation of Australia’s regional, remote, and First Nations owned and operated galleries, museums, and keeping places on Wikimedia platforms. By engaging directly with cultural organisations, AMaGA will update and expand Wikimedia entries, ensuring that diverse local collections, stories, and knowledge are visible to both national and international audiences. Awarded $10,000.
Project Contact
- Katie Russell, National Director / CEO, Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA)
