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Our Mother Tongue Woiwurrung
One day, right before her 14th birthday, Joy Wandin Murphy woke up with a bad feeling. She refused to go to school. She had an unshakeable sense of dread that something was going to happen to her father. Joy was eventually permitted to stay home, and her father passed away that same day.
It was a turning point for Joy. In that moment, she knew with absolute clarity that they had lost a great man and that to honour him, she had to give back somehow to her community. ‘From there it was indelibly printed that I had to do something, but at that point, I wasn’t sure exactly, what’, she recalls.
Joy Wandin Murphy is a Wurundjeri elder and Woiwurrung language teacher, based in Healesville, 60km east of Melbourne. Joy's great-great uncle was William Barak, the last traditional ngurungaeta (elder...
published: 27 May 2019
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Wurundjeri Welcome to Country
IMPORTANT: The following video has been compiled for educational purposes only. This video must not be used as a substitute for an official, in-person, welcome to country in any situation or context whatsoever.
Part of the area now known as the City of Melbourne and all of the City of Yarra (as well as land extending north into central Victoria) are the traditional lands of the Kulin nation. The City of Yarra area was looked after by the Wurundjeri-willam family group. They belong to the Wurundjeri-balluk clan, which is part of the larger Wurundjeri tribe. The Wurundjeri-willam mainly spoke Woi wurrung language, but also spoke other languages of their nation. Each clan was governed by a Ngurungaeta [pronounced na-run-getta] or head-man. (Source: The Aboriginal History of Yarra http://abor...
published: 29 Jan 2015
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Making Damper with Murrundindi | Bush Tucker Recipe
In commemoration of Reconciliation Week, Ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people, Murrundindi joins our Indigenous Programs Co-ordinator Ms Amon and Reconciliation Prefect Alex to make damper using traditional bush tucker ingredients like wattle seed and lemon myrtle.
If you'd like to join in, you can purchase these ingredients from 'The Source Bulk Foods'. Be sure to enjoy your damper with butter, jam, golden syrup or honey and share a photo of your finished damper with Ms Amon!
published: 03 Jun 2020
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Tanderrum Festival 2018
Aboriginal welcoming dance at Federation Square Melbourne Victoria Australia.
This song is derived from a recording from William Barak, Wurundjeri Ngurungaeta (Leader) in the 1800s and relates to the wetland Songlines of genunwil (duck), gunuwarra (black swan) and wadjileiya and burndangala (both pelican)
Information kindly provided by Mandy Nicholson.
published: 03 Oct 2018
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Lilydale Heights College – new facilities
Lilydale Heights College is now home to a new Sustainable Learning Hub and gymnasium. There’s also a new ‘town centre’ that offers students a place to meet to share stories and knowledge. This wonderful outdoor learning area was designed in collaboration with the Ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people, Murrundindi.
These exciting new facilities have been delivered as part of the Lilydale District and Yarra Valley Education Plan. To find out more, visit https://go.vic.gov.au/dIk62Y
published: 08 Jun 2021
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SMBG Welcome to Country 2022
As the St Margaret's Berwick Grammar community, we were honoured to have Murrundindi present our Welcome to Country for 2022.
Murrundindi, is the Ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people. He has been a special part of our school community for many years and we are honoured to share today with him and our students.
published: 28 Jan 2022
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Talk by Peggy on 'Thistle to Wattle: The Anne Fraser Bon Story' at Mansfield Library, 20 April 2022.
Anne Fraser Bon was a pioneering philanthropist, best known for her advocacy of Indigenous rights, and her friendship with William Barak, the last traditional ngurungaeta of the Kulin Nation.
As Anne was a significant historical figure in Bonnie Doon and Mansfield, the talks I gave there incorporated most of the details of my narrative fiction.
Much thanks to my editor, Mary-Jo O'Rourke, for the recording, which has now been flipped and cropped (with a watermark to cover my Rubenesque figure).
(BTW, Look up 'aphasia' if my umming and aahing annoys you; trust me, it ain't going to get any better.)
published: 27 Apr 2022
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Duncan Reid interview
published: 18 Nov 2020
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Melbourne Day2Night Zeitraffer Time-lapse Wolken über Melbourne 2017 (Hyperlapse 4k)
Blick nordwestlich auf Melbournes Stadtzentrum.
Das Gesicht auf dem Gebäude (Mitte links) ist William Barak (1824 – 15 August 1903), letzter Ngurungaeta (Älterer / Vertreter) des aboriginal Wurundjeri-Willam Familien-Clan und erster Einwohner des heutigen Melbourne.
Timelapse / Zeitrafferparameter:
Frames : 180
Interval: 5 sec
FPS: 25
Kamera: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ2500
Link: https://amzn.to/2KlzzRn
Speicherkarte: Sandisc extreme Pro SDXC 256GB
Link: https://amzn.to/2KsuI0D
published: 23 Sep 2017
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WURUNDJERI PEOPLE CROWDFUNDING TO BUY RARE ABORIGINAL ARTWORKS. RETURN THEM TO COUNTRY
Wurundjeri people crowdfunding to buy rare Aboriginal artworks. return them to country
Descendants of prominent Indigenous artist William Barak fear they will lose two rare artworks when they go under the hammer in New York on Wednesday. Auction house Sotheby's will auction off a 19th century painting and a decorative shield. Both have been kept in the same Swiss family since their creation. The Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Corporation has set up a crowdfunding page to buy the artworks. and is in an 11th hour push to secure the money. Uncle Ron Jones. an elder and a descendant of the artist. said the artworks belonged back on country. 'I'm quite sure that if William Barak was here today he would be totally unhappy that people are making money out of it.' he said. So far. the...
published: 26 May 2022
3:22
Our Mother Tongue Woiwurrung
One day, right before her 14th birthday, Joy Wandin Murphy woke up with a bad feeling. She refused to go to school. She had an unshakeable sense of dread that s...
One day, right before her 14th birthday, Joy Wandin Murphy woke up with a bad feeling. She refused to go to school. She had an unshakeable sense of dread that something was going to happen to her father. Joy was eventually permitted to stay home, and her father passed away that same day.
It was a turning point for Joy. In that moment, she knew with absolute clarity that they had lost a great man and that to honour him, she had to give back somehow to her community. ‘From there it was indelibly printed that I had to do something, but at that point, I wasn’t sure exactly, what’, she recalls.
Joy Wandin Murphy is a Wurundjeri elder and Woiwurrung language teacher, based in Healesville, 60km east of Melbourne. Joy's great-great uncle was William Barak, the last traditional ngurungaeta (elder/leader) of the Wurundjeri-willam clan. Joy’s father, Jarlo Wandoon, attempted to enlist for World War 1 but was rejected on account of being Aboriginal. He proceeded to re-enlist under a whitefella name, James Wandin, and went on to serve overseas.
It’s with this same tenacity that Aunty Joy has applied herself to her work. She is committed to promoting positive relationships between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community, and to strengthening the Woiwurrung language. Joy frequently gives the traditional ‘Welcome to country’ greeting at Melbourne events and was invited to be the creative artist and lyricist for the Opening and Closing ceremony songs in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Among other accolades, Joy was made an officer of the Order of Australia in 2006, for her service to the community, particularly the Aborigines, through ‘significant contributions in the fields of social justice, land rights, equal opportunity, art and reconciliation’.
Joy currently teaches the Woiwurrung language to Year 7 and 8 students at Healesville High school and mentors her sister, Doreen, who also teaches language and culture at the school. It’s a pilot program funded by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. It will be supported until the end of the year. Beyond that, Joy is determined to find the funds to keep the program going.
Joy was taught the Woiwurrung language by her aunt and uncle, the older siblings of her father. 'Uncle Frank spent a lot of time with us and although he was a very quiet man, he would say a word, and it would just penetrate. You just never forgot what he said and how he said it,' she recalls. Joy knew that most of her generation had totally missed out on language, and she felt a responsibility to pass it on to the next generation.
‘It’s a very proud moment when you’re able to teach not just Wurundjeri children, but also non-Aboriginal children, because we are about educating everyone. And if we share the knowledge that’s been handed down over all those years, then we hope that can bring a much more harmonious community.’
This film is part of the ‘Mother Tongue’ language series, documenting Indigenous languages around Victoria. Click here to view the first film of the series, on the Wiradjuri language.
ABC Open Producer: Suzi Taylor
This video was originally contributed to the ABC Open Mother Tongue project, which invited Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to share a story about their mother tongue.
https://wn.com/Our_Mother_Tongue_Woiwurrung
One day, right before her 14th birthday, Joy Wandin Murphy woke up with a bad feeling. She refused to go to school. She had an unshakeable sense of dread that something was going to happen to her father. Joy was eventually permitted to stay home, and her father passed away that same day.
It was a turning point for Joy. In that moment, she knew with absolute clarity that they had lost a great man and that to honour him, she had to give back somehow to her community. ‘From there it was indelibly printed that I had to do something, but at that point, I wasn’t sure exactly, what’, she recalls.
Joy Wandin Murphy is a Wurundjeri elder and Woiwurrung language teacher, based in Healesville, 60km east of Melbourne. Joy's great-great uncle was William Barak, the last traditional ngurungaeta (elder/leader) of the Wurundjeri-willam clan. Joy’s father, Jarlo Wandoon, attempted to enlist for World War 1 but was rejected on account of being Aboriginal. He proceeded to re-enlist under a whitefella name, James Wandin, and went on to serve overseas.
It’s with this same tenacity that Aunty Joy has applied herself to her work. She is committed to promoting positive relationships between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community, and to strengthening the Woiwurrung language. Joy frequently gives the traditional ‘Welcome to country’ greeting at Melbourne events and was invited to be the creative artist and lyricist for the Opening and Closing ceremony songs in the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Among other accolades, Joy was made an officer of the Order of Australia in 2006, for her service to the community, particularly the Aborigines, through ‘significant contributions in the fields of social justice, land rights, equal opportunity, art and reconciliation’.
Joy currently teaches the Woiwurrung language to Year 7 and 8 students at Healesville High school and mentors her sister, Doreen, who also teaches language and culture at the school. It’s a pilot program funded by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. It will be supported until the end of the year. Beyond that, Joy is determined to find the funds to keep the program going.
Joy was taught the Woiwurrung language by her aunt and uncle, the older siblings of her father. 'Uncle Frank spent a lot of time with us and although he was a very quiet man, he would say a word, and it would just penetrate. You just never forgot what he said and how he said it,' she recalls. Joy knew that most of her generation had totally missed out on language, and she felt a responsibility to pass it on to the next generation.
‘It’s a very proud moment when you’re able to teach not just Wurundjeri children, but also non-Aboriginal children, because we are about educating everyone. And if we share the knowledge that’s been handed down over all those years, then we hope that can bring a much more harmonious community.’
This film is part of the ‘Mother Tongue’ language series, documenting Indigenous languages around Victoria. Click here to view the first film of the series, on the Wiradjuri language.
ABC Open Producer: Suzi Taylor
This video was originally contributed to the ABC Open Mother Tongue project, which invited Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to share a story about their mother tongue.
- published: 27 May 2019
- views: 8841
1:30
Wurundjeri Welcome to Country
IMPORTANT: The following video has been compiled for educational purposes only. This video must not be used as a substitute for an official, in-person, welcome ...
IMPORTANT: The following video has been compiled for educational purposes only. This video must not be used as a substitute for an official, in-person, welcome to country in any situation or context whatsoever.
Part of the area now known as the City of Melbourne and all of the City of Yarra (as well as land extending north into central Victoria) are the traditional lands of the Kulin nation. The City of Yarra area was looked after by the Wurundjeri-willam family group. They belong to the Wurundjeri-balluk clan, which is part of the larger Wurundjeri tribe. The Wurundjeri-willam mainly spoke Woi wurrung language, but also spoke other languages of their nation. Each clan was governed by a Ngurungaeta [pronounced na-run-getta] or head-man. (Source: The Aboriginal History of Yarra http://aboriginalhistoryofyarra.com.au/2-pre-contact-wurundjeri/)
https://wn.com/Wurundjeri_Welcome_To_Country
IMPORTANT: The following video has been compiled for educational purposes only. This video must not be used as a substitute for an official, in-person, welcome to country in any situation or context whatsoever.
Part of the area now known as the City of Melbourne and all of the City of Yarra (as well as land extending north into central Victoria) are the traditional lands of the Kulin nation. The City of Yarra area was looked after by the Wurundjeri-willam family group. They belong to the Wurundjeri-balluk clan, which is part of the larger Wurundjeri tribe. The Wurundjeri-willam mainly spoke Woi wurrung language, but also spoke other languages of their nation. Each clan was governed by a Ngurungaeta [pronounced na-run-getta] or head-man. (Source: The Aboriginal History of Yarra http://aboriginalhistoryofyarra.com.au/2-pre-contact-wurundjeri/)
- published: 29 Jan 2015
- views: 33861
20:10
Making Damper with Murrundindi | Bush Tucker Recipe
In commemoration of Reconciliation Week, Ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people, Murrundindi joins our Indigenous Programs Co-ordinator Ms Amon and Reconciliation...
In commemoration of Reconciliation Week, Ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people, Murrundindi joins our Indigenous Programs Co-ordinator Ms Amon and Reconciliation Prefect Alex to make damper using traditional bush tucker ingredients like wattle seed and lemon myrtle.
If you'd like to join in, you can purchase these ingredients from 'The Source Bulk Foods'. Be sure to enjoy your damper with butter, jam, golden syrup or honey and share a photo of your finished damper with Ms Amon!
https://wn.com/Making_Damper_With_Murrundindi_|_Bush_Tucker_Recipe
In commemoration of Reconciliation Week, Ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people, Murrundindi joins our Indigenous Programs Co-ordinator Ms Amon and Reconciliation Prefect Alex to make damper using traditional bush tucker ingredients like wattle seed and lemon myrtle.
If you'd like to join in, you can purchase these ingredients from 'The Source Bulk Foods'. Be sure to enjoy your damper with butter, jam, golden syrup or honey and share a photo of your finished damper with Ms Amon!
- published: 03 Jun 2020
- views: 952
11:02
Tanderrum Festival 2018
Aboriginal welcoming dance at Federation Square Melbourne Victoria Australia.
This song is derived from a recording from William Barak, Wurundjeri Ngurungaeta (...
Aboriginal welcoming dance at Federation Square Melbourne Victoria Australia.
This song is derived from a recording from William Barak, Wurundjeri Ngurungaeta (Leader) in the 1800s and relates to the wetland Songlines of genunwil (duck), gunuwarra (black swan) and wadjileiya and burndangala (both pelican)
Information kindly provided by Mandy Nicholson.
https://wn.com/Tanderrum_Festival_2018
Aboriginal welcoming dance at Federation Square Melbourne Victoria Australia.
This song is derived from a recording from William Barak, Wurundjeri Ngurungaeta (Leader) in the 1800s and relates to the wetland Songlines of genunwil (duck), gunuwarra (black swan) and wadjileiya and burndangala (both pelican)
Information kindly provided by Mandy Nicholson.
- published: 03 Oct 2018
- views: 775
1:31
Lilydale Heights College – new facilities
Lilydale Heights College is now home to a new Sustainable Learning Hub and gymnasium. There’s also a new ‘town centre’ that offers students a place to meet to s...
Lilydale Heights College is now home to a new Sustainable Learning Hub and gymnasium. There’s also a new ‘town centre’ that offers students a place to meet to share stories and knowledge. This wonderful outdoor learning area was designed in collaboration with the Ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people, Murrundindi.
These exciting new facilities have been delivered as part of the Lilydale District and Yarra Valley Education Plan. To find out more, visit https://go.vic.gov.au/dIk62Y
https://wn.com/Lilydale_Heights_College_–_New_Facilities
Lilydale Heights College is now home to a new Sustainable Learning Hub and gymnasium. There’s also a new ‘town centre’ that offers students a place to meet to share stories and knowledge. This wonderful outdoor learning area was designed in collaboration with the Ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people, Murrundindi.
These exciting new facilities have been delivered as part of the Lilydale District and Yarra Valley Education Plan. To find out more, visit https://go.vic.gov.au/dIk62Y
- published: 08 Jun 2021
- views: 137
14:05
SMBG Welcome to Country 2022
As the St Margaret's Berwick Grammar community, we were honoured to have Murrundindi present our Welcome to Country for 2022.
Murrundindi, is the Ngurungaeta o...
As the St Margaret's Berwick Grammar community, we were honoured to have Murrundindi present our Welcome to Country for 2022.
Murrundindi, is the Ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people. He has been a special part of our school community for many years and we are honoured to share today with him and our students.
https://wn.com/Smbg_Welcome_To_Country_2022
As the St Margaret's Berwick Grammar community, we were honoured to have Murrundindi present our Welcome to Country for 2022.
Murrundindi, is the Ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people. He has been a special part of our school community for many years and we are honoured to share today with him and our students.
- published: 28 Jan 2022
- views: 189
1:37:29
Talk by Peggy on 'Thistle to Wattle: The Anne Fraser Bon Story' at Mansfield Library, 20 April 2022.
Anne Fraser Bon was a pioneering philanthropist, best known for her advocacy of Indigenous rights, and her friendship with William Barak, the last traditional n...
Anne Fraser Bon was a pioneering philanthropist, best known for her advocacy of Indigenous rights, and her friendship with William Barak, the last traditional ngurungaeta of the Kulin Nation.
As Anne was a significant historical figure in Bonnie Doon and Mansfield, the talks I gave there incorporated most of the details of my narrative fiction.
Much thanks to my editor, Mary-Jo O'Rourke, for the recording, which has now been flipped and cropped (with a watermark to cover my Rubenesque figure).
(BTW, Look up 'aphasia' if my umming and aahing annoys you; trust me, it ain't going to get any better.)
https://wn.com/Talk_By_Peggy_On_'Thistle_To_Wattle_The_Anne_Fraser_Bon_Story'_At_Mansfield_Library,_20_April_2022.
Anne Fraser Bon was a pioneering philanthropist, best known for her advocacy of Indigenous rights, and her friendship with William Barak, the last traditional ngurungaeta of the Kulin Nation.
As Anne was a significant historical figure in Bonnie Doon and Mansfield, the talks I gave there incorporated most of the details of my narrative fiction.
Much thanks to my editor, Mary-Jo O'Rourke, for the recording, which has now been flipped and cropped (with a watermark to cover my Rubenesque figure).
(BTW, Look up 'aphasia' if my umming and aahing annoys you; trust me, it ain't going to get any better.)
- published: 27 Apr 2022
- views: 59
2:16
Melbourne Day2Night Zeitraffer Time-lapse Wolken über Melbourne 2017 (Hyperlapse 4k)
Blick nordwestlich auf Melbournes Stadtzentrum.
Das Gesicht auf dem Gebäude (Mitte links) ist William Barak (1824 – 15 August 1903), letzter Ngurungaeta (Älter...
Blick nordwestlich auf Melbournes Stadtzentrum.
Das Gesicht auf dem Gebäude (Mitte links) ist William Barak (1824 – 15 August 1903), letzter Ngurungaeta (Älterer / Vertreter) des aboriginal Wurundjeri-Willam Familien-Clan und erster Einwohner des heutigen Melbourne.
Timelapse / Zeitrafferparameter:
Frames : 180
Interval: 5 sec
FPS: 25
Kamera: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ2500
Link: https://amzn.to/2KlzzRn
Speicherkarte: Sandisc extreme Pro SDXC 256GB
Link: https://amzn.to/2KsuI0D
https://wn.com/Melbourne_Day2Night_Zeitraffer_Time_Lapse_Wolken_Über_Melbourne_2017_(Hyperlapse_4K)
Blick nordwestlich auf Melbournes Stadtzentrum.
Das Gesicht auf dem Gebäude (Mitte links) ist William Barak (1824 – 15 August 1903), letzter Ngurungaeta (Älterer / Vertreter) des aboriginal Wurundjeri-Willam Familien-Clan und erster Einwohner des heutigen Melbourne.
Timelapse / Zeitrafferparameter:
Frames : 180
Interval: 5 sec
FPS: 25
Kamera: Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ2500
Link: https://amzn.to/2KlzzRn
Speicherkarte: Sandisc extreme Pro SDXC 256GB
Link: https://amzn.to/2KsuI0D
- published: 23 Sep 2017
- views: 96
5:25
WURUNDJERI PEOPLE CROWDFUNDING TO BUY RARE ABORIGINAL ARTWORKS. RETURN THEM TO COUNTRY
Wurundjeri people crowdfunding to buy rare Aboriginal artworks. return them to country
Descendants of prominent Indigenous artist William Barak fear they wil...
Wurundjeri people crowdfunding to buy rare Aboriginal artworks. return them to country
Descendants of prominent Indigenous artist William Barak fear they will lose two rare artworks when they go under the hammer in New York on Wednesday. Auction house Sotheby's will auction off a 19th century painting and a decorative shield. Both have been kept in the same Swiss family since their creation. The Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Corporation has set up a crowdfunding page to buy the artworks. and is in an 11th hour push to secure the money. Uncle Ron Jones. an elder and a descendant of the artist. said the artworks belonged back on country. 'I'm quite sure that if William Barak was here today he would be totally unhappy that people are making money out of it.' he said. So far. the group has raised just over $60.000. a long way from its goal of $1 million. The Sotheby's website lists Corroboree (Women in possum skin cloaks) at about $500.000 and the shield at about $36.000. Bid to bring the artworks home The artworks' existence and their sale were only recently discovered by the Wurundjeri people. They believe the pieces were likely gifted in 1897 to Jules de Pury. a nephew of Baron Frédéric Guillaume de Pury. who had a strong friendship with William Barak and grew vineyards on Kulin Country. What makes these recently discovered pieces particularly unique is that they stayed in the de Pury family for about 125 years. according to La Trobe University historian Nikita Vanderbyl. 'The connection between Barak and the de Pury family make this provenance information so watertight and it's such a strong narrative that it is very different from previous examples that have come up at auction.' Dr Vanderbyl said. 'If they've got a conscience. they should be handing it back to the traditional bloodlines of that family group.' Wurundjeri Corporation treasurer Ron Jones said. The elders crowdsourced to save another artwork in 2016. but the bids for the piece. titled Ceremony. far exceeded what they thought was needed. creating heartbreak for the community. They hope that does not happen again. The artist and leader Mr Jones grew up hearing the stories of the late artist from his grandmother and mother — Barak's grandniece. 'He was very short in size but big in stature.' Mr Jones explained. Barak was influential in the establishment of an Aboriginal farming community known as Coranderrk. in the colony of Victoria. Mr Jones's grandmother recalled how Barak made their community self sufficient with food. and arranged a cow for fresh milk. Barak watched his father and uncles negotiate with the white settlers. And he witnessed the signing of John Batman's 'treaty' for the land that became the cities of Melbourne and Geelong. Mr Jones heard 'how he was so respected' even among European colonisers. Ngurungaeta (headman) Barak painted his traditions and ceremonies as a way of preserving his culture at a time when ceremonies were banned. Dr Vanderbyl completed a PhD on the artist and was asked to write the descriptors for Sotheby's auction. 'This is a moment when Aboriginal people were accommodating. or adjusting. or fighting colonisation — all of these things were happening at once.' Dr Vanderbyl explained. 'They came into the colonial world but they brought people like the de Pury family into their world.' 'National treasures' belong on country. historian says There are 52 known Barak paintings and drawings. and Mr Jones explained: 'They tell a complete story.' 'We never had a written language.' he said. 'Remember all our language was done by oral [communication]. so that would be a way of telling people — storytelling by painting.' 'That fundraiser is to bring something back home that belongs to our history here. not just for the Wurundjeri people but for education so that everyone can enjoy it.' Dr Vanderbyl agreed the artworks should be back on country. 'These are regarded by the Wurundjeri as their national treasures.' she said. Calls for government support In 2015 an...
#news
https://wn.com/Wurundjeri_People_Crowdfunding_To_Buy_Rare_Aboriginal_Artworks._Return_Them_To_Country
Wurundjeri people crowdfunding to buy rare Aboriginal artworks. return them to country
Descendants of prominent Indigenous artist William Barak fear they will lose two rare artworks when they go under the hammer in New York on Wednesday. Auction house Sotheby's will auction off a 19th century painting and a decorative shield. Both have been kept in the same Swiss family since their creation. The Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Corporation has set up a crowdfunding page to buy the artworks. and is in an 11th hour push to secure the money. Uncle Ron Jones. an elder and a descendant of the artist. said the artworks belonged back on country. 'I'm quite sure that if William Barak was here today he would be totally unhappy that people are making money out of it.' he said. So far. the group has raised just over $60.000. a long way from its goal of $1 million. The Sotheby's website lists Corroboree (Women in possum skin cloaks) at about $500.000 and the shield at about $36.000. Bid to bring the artworks home The artworks' existence and their sale were only recently discovered by the Wurundjeri people. They believe the pieces were likely gifted in 1897 to Jules de Pury. a nephew of Baron Frédéric Guillaume de Pury. who had a strong friendship with William Barak and grew vineyards on Kulin Country. What makes these recently discovered pieces particularly unique is that they stayed in the de Pury family for about 125 years. according to La Trobe University historian Nikita Vanderbyl. 'The connection between Barak and the de Pury family make this provenance information so watertight and it's such a strong narrative that it is very different from previous examples that have come up at auction.' Dr Vanderbyl said. 'If they've got a conscience. they should be handing it back to the traditional bloodlines of that family group.' Wurundjeri Corporation treasurer Ron Jones said. The elders crowdsourced to save another artwork in 2016. but the bids for the piece. titled Ceremony. far exceeded what they thought was needed. creating heartbreak for the community. They hope that does not happen again. The artist and leader Mr Jones grew up hearing the stories of the late artist from his grandmother and mother — Barak's grandniece. 'He was very short in size but big in stature.' Mr Jones explained. Barak was influential in the establishment of an Aboriginal farming community known as Coranderrk. in the colony of Victoria. Mr Jones's grandmother recalled how Barak made their community self sufficient with food. and arranged a cow for fresh milk. Barak watched his father and uncles negotiate with the white settlers. And he witnessed the signing of John Batman's 'treaty' for the land that became the cities of Melbourne and Geelong. Mr Jones heard 'how he was so respected' even among European colonisers. Ngurungaeta (headman) Barak painted his traditions and ceremonies as a way of preserving his culture at a time when ceremonies were banned. Dr Vanderbyl completed a PhD on the artist and was asked to write the descriptors for Sotheby's auction. 'This is a moment when Aboriginal people were accommodating. or adjusting. or fighting colonisation — all of these things were happening at once.' Dr Vanderbyl explained. 'They came into the colonial world but they brought people like the de Pury family into their world.' 'National treasures' belong on country. historian says There are 52 known Barak paintings and drawings. and Mr Jones explained: 'They tell a complete story.' 'We never had a written language.' he said. 'Remember all our language was done by oral [communication]. so that would be a way of telling people — storytelling by painting.' 'That fundraiser is to bring something back home that belongs to our history here. not just for the Wurundjeri people but for education so that everyone can enjoy it.' Dr Vanderbyl agreed the artworks should be back on country. 'These are regarded by the Wurundjeri as their national treasures.' she said. Calls for government support In 2015 an...
#news
- published: 26 May 2022
- views: 8