Category: Aboriginal History and Culture

Posts relating to Aboriginal people, culture and history, rock art and engraving sites, mapping, awareness and education.

Revitalisation of Indigenous Culture & Knowledge Project – review of AV footage 1980s

December 16, 2020

We acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional Aboriginal owners of the lands on which our compuses are located, as well as other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations from which our students, staff and community are drawn. Project Description and Context The University archives already has a substantial listing of sources relating to … More Revitalisation of Indigenous Culture & Knowledge Project – review of AV footage 1980s

“Stories of Our Town” Documentary Series – Indigenous Histories & Joseph Lycett

September 21, 2020

Last week Tony and I were invited by Richard Neville (Mitchell Librarian, Director Engagement) to the vault at the Mitchell Library to film and talk about 3 extraordinary artifacts associated with Newcastle’s history. Firstly, Macquarie’s Chest, one of two commissioned by Commander Wallis in 1819 to curry favour with Govenor Macquarie, such a gorgeous and … More “Stories of Our Town” Documentary Series – Indigenous Histories & Joseph Lycett

“Stories of Our Town” Documentary Series – Indigenous Histories

August 24, 2020

By Glenn Dormand Visit storiesofourtown.com  It was such a joy to hang out with Prof John Maynard last week to get a fascinating insight into the work of Joseph Lycett. John, a proud Worimi man wrote True Light and Shade: An Aboriginal Perspective of Joseph Lycett’s Art and I can’t recommend it enough.  It is … More “Stories of Our Town” Documentary Series – Indigenous Histories

Interview with Ian McHutchison Sim (2019)

July 3, 2020

Oral History Interviews with Ian McHutchison Sim conducted on the 14 October 2019 & 28 November 2019 By Gionni Di Gravio, Archivist, University of Newcastle (Australia) With questions and commentary from Mr Garry Jones, Dr Greg Blyton and Uncle Bill Smith Background research by Mr. Leigh Budden Recorded in the GLAMx Lab, Cultural Collections, University … More Interview with Ian McHutchison Sim (2019)

Aboriginal Spirit beings – MULLUNGBULA – Two Rock Women

June 17, 2020

MULLUNGBULA Two Rock Women (or the “Two Sisters”)   This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land. Mullungbula is the name of a location on the northern extremity of the eastern side of Lake Macquarie where two upright conglomerate rocks could be found. The … More Aboriginal Spirit beings – MULLUNGBULA – Two Rock Women

Aboriginal Spirit Beings – WAUWARAN – home of the Monster WAUWAI

June 17, 2020

WAUWARAN – home of the Monster WAUWAI This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land. Wauwai is described as a monster fish, much larger than a shark, that inhabits Wauwaran; a fresh water hole in the vicinity of Lake Macquarie, believed by the Aboriginal … More Aboriginal Spirit Beings – WAUWARAN – home of the Monster WAUWAI

Aboriginal Spirit Beings – KOYOROWEN (Wild Man of the Woods) and Wife KURRIWILBAN

June 17, 2020

KOYOROWEN (or TUNUBUARNG) Wild Man of the Woods and wife, KURRIWILBAN   This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land.   Tunubuarng (Koyorowen) is described as a demonic being in the form of a wild man with wonderful powers, that makes a loud noise … More Aboriginal Spirit Beings – KOYOROWEN (Wild Man of the Woods) and Wife KURRIWILBAN

The Haunted Swamp: The Mystery of the Hexham Bunyip

June 16, 2020

  This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land. In May 2016 the University Archives in Cultural Collections took possession of a set of notebook diaries of William John Turton, local cabinet maker, engineer and business man. Born at the Wheatsheaf Inn, at Hexham … More The Haunted Swamp: The Mystery of the Hexham Bunyip

Detail from Lycett's Corroborree at Newcastle

Kon, Koun or Koin – Supreme Invisible and Unknown Being of the Aboriginal Peoples of Port Stephens, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie

February 14, 2020

  This work is conducted in memory and respectfully honours the First Australian People, the Aboriginal People of this land.   KON or KOUN (pronounced ‘cone’) – The Great Unknown Being and his wife TIPPAKALLEEN   All ages artistic challenge. We don’t know what Kon or his wife Tippakalleen actually looked like. Read the descriptions … More Kon, Koun or Koin – Supreme Invisible and Unknown Being of the Aboriginal Peoples of Port Stephens, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie