Cultural Mapping Project
https://livinghistories.newcastle.edu.au/nodes/view/117004
WARNING: The following content may contain the name, image, likeness, recording or other information of deceased persons of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. It also contains language that may be considered offensive to some audiences.
This collection of oral histories was funded by the NSW State Government (via the former Greater Cities Commission). The goal of the project was to map places and stories that hold cultural and historical significance for Aboriginal people in the Newcastle region – that is Muloobinba and surrounds, on Awabakal and Worimi Country. Each community member holds connection to this area, some have moved away, while others remain here in Muloobinba.
Community members were able to decide what stories they wished to share and how much of their recordings were made public consistent with the University ICIP protocol. The recordings here are an extract of the longer recording for each stakeholder. Also see HLH 'Cultural Mapping' .
Based on these stories, an artwork was commissioned and completed by Worimi man, Gavin Kelly. In addition, each story is featured on a sign placed around Muloobinba (Newcastle) in a location that is connected to the story. The map shows where each sign can be found HERE.
Artist Statement
The painting has Muloobinba (Newcastle) represented as a circle with people sitting down around it showing people coming together and connecting there. Inside the circle are two people sitting together: a representation of people coming to learn but also of someone teaching and passing on knowledge to others. The Indigenous University Games and a corroboree are also shown.
From Muloobinba there are paths leading there from the west, north west, south west, north and south showing that people have travelled from every direction to come to the area. When they have come here they have all worked together and supported each other. The black lines in the background show the paths that people have walked before. It is the paths that these people (family/community) have walked before that have helped or guided others to come into the Newcastle community.
In the background is represented people who have come into Newcastle for all different reasons: to work, to compete in the University Games, for teaching, learning and dancing. The animals on the Country where theses paths cross show that people came into Newcastle from all different Countries but when they got here all worked together and had a close community.
