The Boon Wurrung ‘Ngargee’ Tree
This towering old giant red gum, thought to be between 300 and 500 years old is a survivor of years gone by, and is sacred to the Traditional Owners of the land where St Kilda sits today. For hundreds of years it has served as a meeting place for the Boon Wurrung people. It remains very sacred to the Aboriginal elders who still meet here to this day to discuss important issues.
There is a beautiful paved seating area, with plaques telling you of the history of the Boon Wurrung — one of the four main language groups who made up the Kulin Nation. Pay your respects to and acknowledge the traditional owners of this land: the Boon Wurrung Peoples, and their ongoing links with the land. According to the Historical Society of St Kilda, there were an estimated 50,000 Aboriginal people in Victoria before the arrival of European settlers, but by 1850, this had fallen to a shocking 2000, many of them decimated by introduced diseases and outright slaughter. In the first Aboriginal census conducted in 1839, there were only 89 Boon Wurrung people recorded, and by 1863, there were just eleven. This old man tree is located in St Kilda.
Welcome to Country conducted by
N’arweet Dr. Carolyn Briggs AO
Monday 30 November – Sunday 13 December 2020
Monday 30 November – Sunday 13 December 2020
Welcome to the School of Art Graduate Festival celebrating the work of artists photographers sculptors gold & silversmiths ceramicists painters drawers makers printers video artists performance artists public space artists
Thank you for joining us in the celebration of our School of Art Graduating Students in what has been a most extraordinary year!
The challenges for students this year have been significant, however it has brought to light the true resilience and sense of community that has allowed our students to not only continue, but to succeed.
This Festival showcases the exceptional artwork created by our students. The class of 2020 have accomplished the creation of art and photography that challenges our thinking and enriches our lives.
The Festival also acknowledges the RMIT School of Art staff, who have supported each and every student to achieve these wonderful outcomes. The School of Art staff is an extraordinary community of academics, professional staff, sessional colleagues and industry partners; whom together create the remarkable richness of our School. We are incredibly indebted to this group of people, who inspire and support our students every day.
This body of digital representations would not have been possible without the commitment from a very small team of staff, namely Associate Professor Dominic Redfern (Academic lead), Gracia Haby & Louise Jennison, Ingrid Maklary, Bronwyn Hughes, Associate Professor Shane Hulbert, Dr Ceri Hann, Andy Tetzlaff and Dr Martine Corompt, led by Paula McDonald. This group worked tirelessly over the past 3 months to bring together their creative and professional ideas to continue the School of Art’s deep sense of community. In addition, we wish to acknowledge efforts of the Data Upload Team, namely Rob Harding, Michael Quinlan, together with MFA Students, Sarah Byrne, Ashini Nanayakkara and Lewis Gittus.
Join us now in celebrating the artwork created by the Graduating Students of 2020….
Associate Dean, Photography
Associate Professor Shane Hulbert
