Rockingham Nyoongar Stories Exhibition

Comprising audio material and photographic portraits, the exhibition will feature 10 local Nyoongar people sharing stories about their lives and experiences.

In addition to the exhibition, the audio material created through the project will be made available through the City of Rockingham Library catalogue as an online resource for the whole community. Transcripts of each of the stories will also be produced, and a compilation CD has been created using excerpts from each of the stories shared.

Mayor Barry Sammels encouraged the community to come along, listen and view the exhibition during National Reconciliation Week.

“National Reconciliation Week is an opportunity for people throughout the community to come together and the Rockingham Nyoongar Stories Exhibition will help residents learn more about the history and culture of Nyoongar people,” Mayor Sammels said.

“The stories shared in the exhibition are personal and in some places are about profoundly painful experiences that have shaped lives. They also speak of courage, resilience, joy, pride and the enjoyment of simple pleasures.

“Through these stories we also get to hear about the deep, ongoing connection that Nyoongar people have to this region, and cultural knowledge that links people living here today with a long line of ancestors.”

The City engaged oral historian Jemma King and project coordinator Ivy Penny to work with local Nyoongar community members to record their stories for the exhibition.

Photography for the project was contributed by Trevor Walley and Hannah Salt, with musical material supplied by Justin Martin.

“The City’s Aboriginal Advisory Group played a central role in making this project happen and the City thanks all of the members for contributing their ideas, their knowledge and their valuable time, to make sure it was successful,” Mayor Sammels said.

“The City is currently in the process of developing its third Reconciliation Action Plan. Our consultations with the community, and with City staff, have highlighted the importance of increasing community cultural awareness.”

“Providing opportunities such as this exhibition, and the audio material that has been created through the project, is an important step towards achieving this.”

The exhibition is open from 9am–7pm on Monday to Thursday, 9am–5pm on Friday and 9am–12pm on Saturday.

For more information on the exhibition email [email protected] or call 9528 0333.