INDIGENOUS HERITAGE

Bundanon Trust acknowledges the Wodi Wodi, the traditional custodians of the land on which the Bundanon, Riversdale and Eearie Park properties are located. The Wodi Wodi share the Dhurawal language with the Yuin of the South Coast. The Trust strives to have a close working relationship with the Indigenous communities in the Shoalhaven; to enable access to Bundanon’s properties, and education and arts programs, by Indigenous people and to support the creative endeavours of Indigenous artists regionally and nationally. Bundanon has a Reconciliation Action Plan and an Indigenous Arts Development Strategy. Bundanon has committed to pursuing an Indigenous Heritage Report which will examine the Indigenous histories and significance of the Trust’s properties. The Trust has received support from the Australia Council for a 2009 – 2010 Indigenous youth program of visual and performing arts, and film activity, entitled Bundanon Blak. In addition the Trust’s education program has a number of programs developed in consultation with appropriate agencies for the specific benefit of Indigenous adults and children. Our artist in residence program brings Australia’s most significant Indigenous artists and thinkers to the Shoalhaven. A number of these individuals have engaged with the local community and shared skills with Shoalhaven’s Indigenous youth at the time of their visit. Bundanon is guided by the advice of an Indigenous Arts Reference Group.

INDIGENOUS REFERENCE GROUP

Brook Andrew, Conceptual and Multimedia Artist
Gary Jones, Artist and Lecturer in Aboriginal Studios and Creative Arts, University of Wollongong
Anne Marshall, Chair, South East Arts Region Board and Lecturer, University of Wollongong
Frances Rings, Choreographer and Dancer with Bangarra Dance Theatre
Margaret Simoes, Aboriginal Community Development Officer , Shoalhaven Council

OUTREACH

Through our Outreach programs, Bundanon aims to increase access for the Indigenous community. TAFE Aboriginal Visual Arts students and Indigenous youth from local primary and high schools are supported to attend for residential and day visits.

EXHIBITIONS

A special program was developed in 2009 which brought over 90 students from five Shoalhaven secondary schools to workshops at Bundanon to create an exhibition of mixed media murals, photographs and sculptures entitled, Places, Spaces, Sticks and Stones held at the Shoalhaven City Arts Centre gallery. Over 80% of participants in the project were Indigenous identified. Selected students represented their schools at a residential weekend held at Bundanon’s Riversdale site. As part of the process of developing this exhibition a group of 43 Indigenous students and Aboriginal Education Officers travelled to Canberra and visited the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum of Australia and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. On the same day at Parliament House they met Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin and Local Member of Parliament, Joanna Gash.

SPROUT - MEDIA BY KIDS

During October local primary schools participated in Sprout – media by kids, developed by Looking Glass Films. Sprout is an intensive five day workshop led by noted documentary film makers Mitzi Goldman, Pat Fisk and Danny Teece-Johnson, that focuses on young Indigenous people telling their stories through film. A mini Sprout Bundanon film festival will be shown at local cinemas in early December 2009. Participating local public schools include Nowra East, Bomaderry, Huskisson and St Michaels. This project is supported by the Australia Council for the Arts.

PERFORMANCES

Bundanon Trust has been fortunate to have many well-known Indigenous performing artists visit over the years, including William Barton, Jimmy Little, and Wire MC.

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

Our artist in residence program brings Australia’s most significant Indigenous artists and thinkers to the Shoalhaven. A number of these individuals have engaged with the local community and shared skills with Shoalhaven’s Indigenous youth at the time of their visit. INDIGENOUS PARTICIPANTS Brook Andrew William Barton Cesar Basi aka Choo Choo Merv Bishop Michelle Blakeney Max “Dulumunmun” Harrison Anita Heiss Will Jarrett aka Wire MC Marcia Langton Jimmy Little Cecil McLeod Richard Scott Moore Samuel Wagan Watson Boolarng Nangamai Bonny Brennan Mabel Dungay Debbie Hempstead Lila Lawrence Noel Lonesborough Steven Russell Kelli Ryan Phyllis Stewart IndigeLab Michelle Blakeney Nadeena Dixon Sharyn Egan Wesley Enoch Jenny Fraser Genevieve Grieves Will Jarrett aka Wire MC Djon Mundine Lily Shearer Gordon Syron Pallingjang Tess Allas Lorraine Brown Louise Brand Beryl Brieley Jessica Bulger Kevin Butler Cheryl Davison Don Davison Colleen Dixon Julie Freeman Clive Freeman Thomas Goulder Gary Jones Val Law Lila Lawrence Sue Leppan Alice McKenzie Marley Loretta Parsley Georgina Parsons Matthew Poll Steven Russell Reggie Ryan Darrell Sibosado Mally Smart Phyllis Stewart Jodi Stewart Narelle Thomas Papunya Tula Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri Tjakamarra