First Nations Speaker Series—Mungari Curators In-Conversation
Image: David Johnson by Cornel Ozies, 2024
Join us on Thursday 10 April for a conversation with curators about the permanent repatriation of the Gweagal Spears to the La Perouse Aboriginal community.
In March 2023, Trinity College, the Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, the Gujaga Foundation and the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council announced the permanent repatriation of the Gweagal Spears to the La Perouse Aboriginal community.
By 2024, the spears had finally arrived back on Dharawal land. Mungari: Fishing, Resistance, Return, an exhibition at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, traces the extraordinary journey of the spears and the resistance of many generations that led to their return and the safeguarding and continuation of fishing traditions practiced in the community today.
Join curatorial team Kirsty Beller, David Johnson, Clare Woolley and Marika Duczynski for a conversation exploring the making of Mungari, a celebration of the long-awaited homecoming of four of the most significant spears in Australian history.
When: Thursday 10 April, 5:30pm for 5:45pm start
Where: Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney
Free, click here to register.
The First Nations Speaker Series is co-presented by GML Heritage, The University of Sydney and Museums of History NSW.
This event is supported by the Chau Chak Wing Museum and Gujaga Foundation.
About the speakers
Kirsty Beller belongs to the Gweagal Clan of the Dharawal Nation. Kirsty’s work in community involves projects, research and Dharawal language and ensures her community’s stories and knowledge holders are at the front of decision making in the La Perouse Aboriginal Community. Her ancestor was a small child when the Endeavour sailed into Gamay and she was one of the curators of the Mungari exhibition.
David Johnson belongs to the Gweagal Clan of the Dharawal Nation. His ancestors were present at the landing of the Endeavour in Botany Bay in 1770. David was apart of the delegation that retrieved the Gweagal Spears in 2024. David is a leader in the La Perouse Aboriginal Community and leads Projects and Cultural Events. David was also a curator for the Mungari exhibition.
Clare Woolley belongs to the Gweagal Clan of the Dharawal Nation. Clare works within the La Perouse Aboriginal Community doing Project and Consulting work, sharing her community’s stories and perspectives. Clare and her family can trace their ancestors back to first contact on the shores of Kurnell in 1770. She holds a wealth of knowledge on plant medicine and weaving, amongst Gweagal practices. Clare was a curator on the Mungari exhibition.
Marika Duczynski is a Gamilaraay and Mandandanji woman and Curator of Indigenous Heritage at the Chau Chak Wing Museum. Her curatorial practice is driven by the right of First Nations communities to self-determine representation and return of their cultural heritage held in institutional collections. Marika was a curator on the Mungari exhibition.
