Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture in Sydney
Cadigal Place, Museum of Sydney on the site of first Government House
Sydney Museum
Cnr Phillip & Bridge Streets, Sydney 2000
Cadigal Place is a gallery dedicated to the original people of the Port Jackson region, on whose land the Museum of Sydney stands. It explores the traditional lives and colonial contact experiences of the Cadigal, while acknowledging the continuing culture of Aboriginal Sydney. The gallery is an important space for education groups, international and local visitors wishing to learn about the pre and post-contact Aboriginal experience in Sydney.
For more information on Cadigal Place see www.hht.net.au/mos
Edge of the Trees (public art)
Sydney Museum
Cnr Phillip & Bridge Streets, Sydney 2000
Edge of the Trees is an award winning public artwork by indigenous artist Fiona Foley and non-indigenous artist Janet Laurence, located in the forecourt of the Museum of Sydney on the site of first Government House.
It evokes the natural and cultural histories of this place, where first contact took place between Aboriginal people and newly arrived Europeans in 1788; where locals peered from the edge of the tree-line at bedraggled convicts coming ashore from the First Fleet. The installation’s 29 giant pillars of sandstone, wood and metal, represent the 29 clans of the Sydney region. They are engraved with the names of people and places and the botanical and Aboriginal names of native flora now long gone. Shell, bone and feathers are embedded in the poles evoking indigenous ways of life prior to 1788, enhanced by a soundscape of Aboriginal voices.
For more information see www.hht.net.au/mos
Yinalung yenu: Women’s Journey
Powerhouse Museum
500 Harris Street Darling Harbour
Yinalung Yenu: women’s journey will take visitors on a journey into the sometimes unknown and often unexplained world of Indigenous Australian women. A world of people, land, law and ritual, of ceremony and celebration, of social order, language, story, song and dance, art, lore, plants and animals.
Through objects, photographs and personal interviews, Yinalung Yenu reveals the many roles Indigenous women have played in Australian society from traditional times to the present.
Until March 2009, 10am to 5pm (closed Christmas Day)
For more information, ticket prices, parking for this and other activities at the museum see powerhousemuseum.com
Yaama Dhiyaan
Eveliegh Railyard
255 Wilson St Darlington NSW 2008
Yaama Dhiyaan is a truly unique opportunity for people to experience the friendly service and high standards of food offered by Aunty Beryl Van-Oploo, an Aboriginal Elder, and exciting young Aboriginal chef Mathew Cribb, who has over ten years industry experience.
Yaama Dhiyaan is an exciting new venture offering on site function services as well as off site catering. It is located in the exciting new North Eveleigh cultural precinct. Yaama Dhiyaan also provides quality hospitality training in a commercial environment, to ensure students gain industry experience.
For more information see www.redfernwaterloo.nsw.gov.au/yaama/
In Living Memory
State Records Gallery, Sydney Records Centre 2 Globe Street (off George Street), The Rocks An exhibition of surviving photographs from the records of the NSW Aborigines Welfare Board, from 1919 to 1966. Along with the Board's correspondence, reports and ledgers, there were approximately 1000 loosely stored black and white photographs of Aboriginal people taken between 1919 and 1966.
The Board photographs do not provide a complete picture of Indigenous life from the 1920s to the 1960s. Some people and places are represented by many photographs; others by a few or none at all. However, the process of meeting with Indigenous communities to research, develop and present the exhibition has begun to bring new life to those historical records that have survived. In Living Memory is helping to create a new purpose and place for the photographs within contemporary Indigenous life.
Exhibition open ; Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 10 am — 4pm, Closed public holidays Entry ; FREE
For exhibition details and other information held by State Records NSW see: Resources for Indigenous people
Tribal Warrior
Aboriginal Cultural Cruise
Departures; from Eastern Pontoon, Circular Quay on the Opera House Boardwalk at 12.45pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Returns at 2.30pm.
Explore Sydney Harbour through the eyes of our region’s Aboriginal people:
The Eora, Gadigal, Guringai, Wangal, Gammeraigal and Wallumedegal. Discover where Sydney’s original inhabitants live, fished, hunted and gathered food; our ceremonial places and the customs and rituals, which defined Aboriginal culture.
Come ashore on an island in Sydney Harbour National Park for:
- Authentic Aboriginal cultural performance
- Internationally-acclaimed performers
- Boomerang throwing, dancing, storytelling and/or Didjeridu performance
For bookings and further information about the Tribal Warrior call (02) 9699 3491 or Web: www.tribalwarrior.org
Waterloo Library Koori Collection
City of Sydney Library – Waterloo
770 Elizabeth Street, Waterloo
The Koori Collection comprises over 1250 fiction and non-fiction items on Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander related subjects such as politics, art, sport, and history. Items in the Koori Collection can be borrowed by Library members and are included in the City of Sydney Library Network web catalogue. Visitors, browsers and enquiries are welcome.
Open: Monday – Thursday: 10.00am – 6.00pm; Friday: 10.00am – 5.00pm;
Saturday 11.00am – 4.00pm.
Phone (02) 9288 5688 or email Library@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au for enquiries. The 343 bus runs regularly from Castlereigh Street (Sydney) and Central Station (Sydney) to Waterloo Library.
Yiribana Gallery
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander art
at the Art Gallery of New South Wales
The Yiribana Gallery is one of the largest permanent displays of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Representing artists from communities around Australia, Yiribana celebrates the diversity of Indigenous culture. Through the timeless tradition of paintings on bark, to sculpture and contemporary installation, the artists convey a strong connection to country, and provide social commentary on Australia’s recent history.
Free Aboriginal art tours: daily 1pm
Living Black Exhibition
20 December 2007 - 16 November 2008
Inspired by the title of the late Kevin Gilbert’s award winning book, Living Black, this exhibition from the Gallery’s permanent collection reveals contemporary experiences of living black in 21st century Australia. A range of public programs celebrating the literary contribution of Indigenous writers will accompany the exhibition. Key artists include: Mabel Juli, Freddie Timms, Lorna Napanangka, Gloria Petyarre, Tony Albert and Kevin Gilbert.
Free talks on LIVING BLACK 9,16,23,30 July and 6,13,20,27 August 5.30pm
More information www.artafterhours.com.au
Open daily 10am – 5pm, Wednesdays until 9pm
Closed Christmas Day & Good Friday
General admission free - Charges apply for some exhibitions
For further information and other exhibition details see www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au
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