Michaela Wynne

Student Number: S00153267

Mini Essay:
Site: Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre

Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre, located in the city of Melbourne, is a non for profit
Aboriginal community organization that aims to build a society where Aboriginal culture
and history is a respected and valued part of Australian life (Koorie Heritage Trust Inc,
2013). The small museum, which was established in 1985, was created as a keeping
place to protect, preserve and promote the traditional and contemporary art, as well as
history, of the Aboriginal people of Victoria (Koorie Heritage Trust Inc, 2013). The centre
embraces the principles behind reconciliation and actively works to bridge the cultural gap
between the Koorie and wider communities. The most important message portrayed by
this organization is the belief that through education and promotion, awareness and
appreciation of cultural diversity can be raised and together we can work towards the
broader goal of reconciliation for all Australians. This idea has been a central focus
throughout History this semester, and has been a continuous theme through lectures and
tutorials.

At the beginning of the year and the commencement of the History subject HIST106, much
focus was placed on the history of our country especially when the paths of the Aboriginal
people and the British intertwined. As highlighted in the first lecture of the unit, the history
of Australia is often told from the perspective of the British, ignoring all that happened
before settlement. At the Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre the counter narrative is
very much present, exploring the lives of Aboriginal people long before the British arrived.
Through their art collections, tours and interactive educational sessions, the Trust tries to

Michaela Wynne

Student Number: S00153267

impart on their visitors the true history of the Aboriginal people and how important it is to
make sure that Aboriginal culture is a valued part of Australian life. The trust centre values
education and the inclusion of Indigenous history in school curriculum. Not only does the
centre display history though its collections, but runs active sessions with visitors, often
school groups, where parts of aboriginal culture is presented in an interactive way. This
idea links very closely with week ones readings, as it supports the concept that
Indigenous history is a vital aspect of school curriculum and should be taught to all
students of all cultures (South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council, 2012).

The Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre presents the history of the Aboriginal people in
the form of art, and through these magnificent collections they present the pain and
hardship that was inflicted on this culture as they struggled for equality. The trust tells the
story of Indigenous Australia from beginning to present, free from hate or pain. The centre
clearly includes a longing for equality and recognition within all their collections and
tutorials, and not once do they display a negative attitude towards the white settlement of
Australia, even though week eights readings identify that white Australia viewed
Aboriginal people as a problem to be solved (Grossman, 2008). Week eights lecture
focused on the fight for equality and how Aboriginal people asserted their rights and
interests. Aboriginal people adapted to the new environment they found themselves in, but
never dismissed their culture or true identity as an indigenous Australian (week 8 lecture,
2013). Although by current law there is equality amongst the cultures of Australia, at the
Trust centre it is quite clear that the current way of Australian living does not value the
Aboriginal culture and history of the land as much as it should, and they have made it their
goal to see the values of Australia change.

Michaela Wynne

Student Number: S00153267

As identified by the logo and motto of the centre, the Koorie Heritage Trust places large
amounts of value in reconciliation and the union of different Australian cultures. The motto
of the centre is Gnokan Danna Murra Kor-ki which translates to give me your hand my
friend (Koorie Heritage Trust Inc, 2013). Accompanying this motto is the logo of a black
and white hand clasp together, supporting the idea of a broader goal of reconciliation for
all Australians. In week eleven of the unit, the lecture spoke about reconciliation and the
apology to the Aboriginal people of Australia. Reconciliation involves the
acknowledgement of the darker aspects of Aboriginal history, and the aim for indigenous
and non-indigenous Australia's to work together and understand each other (Week 11
Lecture, 2013). The reading of week eleven showed great insight into the apology and
qotes the prime minister as he apologized for the mistreatment of the Aboriginal people, for
laws and policies that inflicted grief and suffering and importantly for the stolen generation
(Broome, 2010). Indigenous Australians offered a dignified acceptance to this apology and
responded with grace. This gracious attitude and response to the pain and suffering that
was inflicted upon them is very evident in the Trust centre. The Koorie Heritage Trust
Cultural Centre values reconciliation and it is their wish and aim to see it further embedded
in Australian living.

The Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre is a wonderful place of rich culture where
everyone is welcome to learn and experience a different aspect of history. The employees
of the centre are dedicated to making an enjoyable experience for all visitors, and aim to
keep their heritage and culture strong in South East Australia (Koorie Heritage Trust Inc,
2013). When inside the building there is a rich atmosphere of culture and acceptance.
Through interaction with staff and other visitors it is clear that the centre endeavors to keep
the diversity and integrity of their culture safe guarded for all generations.

Michaela Wynne

Student Number: S00153267

Learning Activity:
Title: Exploration of Aboriginal culture and history though Art

Purpose: To allow students to express knowledge of Aboriginal culture through art, and
communicate historical moments through creative modes, similar to the ways of Aboriginal
people.

What you will need:

pen/pencil
paper
card
paints
crayons
paint brushes

Method/ Instruction/ Steps:

1. Before commencement of the craft activity, as a class have a look at some Aboriginal
paintings, and reflect on the way in which they are created and the messages that may be
hidden amongst the images.

2. Discuss the importance of art and how it can be used to tell a story. During this
discussion have a look at Aboriginal paintings of dreamtime stories as this is an
excellent example of how an image portrays a message.

Michaela Wynne

Student Number: S00153267

3. Ask the children to select a dreamtime story from the Aboriginal culture or a significant
event in Aboriginal history and ask them to paint a picture (preferably a dot painting,
similar to many Aboriginal paintings) detailing their selection.

4. Along with their creation, the children should be ask to write a short essay/piece of
writing to explain what story, message, or event their painting is of, and how the painting
tells the story.

Explanation:
Although this is a simple activity, it is a great way for children to explore Aboriginal culture
and show their knowledge of Indigenous history. An activity such as this would be highly
effective if completed after an excursion to the Koorie Heritage Trust Cultural Centre. At
the centre students would be able to analyze and observe famous Aboriginal paintings and
see the way in which the paintings hold messages about culture and the past. Staff at the
centre are able to conduct interactive learning sessions with the students that detail this
topic. Students would be able to learn about Indigenous culture, history, dreamtime stories
and much more, increasing their imagination when it is their turn to paint their own image.
To make the activity more relatable to certain aspects of a unit, restrictions could be placed
on the topic of the painting, for example you may ask the students to paint a picture that
symbolizes or tells the story of reconciliation.
Since the beginning of time Aboriginal art and decoration has been an integral component
to Indigenous culture, from body decoration in ceremonies to paintings on trees, rock walls
and shelters (Aboriginal Culture, 2007) . Painting is an important form of communication in
Aboriginal culture, so it is the perfect way to ask students to portray an important aspect of
Indigenous history.

Michaela Wynne

Student Number: S00153267

As well as the painting, asking the students to write a short explanation of what they have
created encourages them to think more deeply about the aboriginal culture and focus on
the rue meaning of the event or story they have chosen to portray.

Michaela Wynne

Student Number: S00153267

Reference List:

Broome, R. (2010). Aboriginal Australians ; A history since 1788 (4th ed.). NSW: Allen &
Unwin.

South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council., (2012). Education. Retrieved May 22, 2013
from http://www.noongarculture.org.au/education/

Aboriginal Culture., (2007). Aboriginal Art. Retrieved May 24, 2013 from http://
www.aboriginalculture.com.au/art.shtml

Grossman, M. (2008). Blacklines; Contemporary critical writing by Indigenous Australians

(3rd ed.). Victoria: University of Melbourne Press

Koorie Heritage Trust Inc., (2013). Cultural Education. Retrieved May 22, 2013 from http://
www.koorieheritagetrust.com/

HIST106 Lecture Week 1: Narrative and Counter-Narrative in Australian History

HIST106 Lecture Week 8: Civil Rights 1- The Fight for Equality

HIST106 Lecture Week 11: From Reconciliation and Apology to Intervention