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Defining moments in Australian History

This extensive web-based resource examines events, people and places of profound significance to the Australian people and their personal, community and national histories. The resource includes a list of 100 'defining moments' identified by historians supported by background information, images, video and links to the ...

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Indigenous science: Australia had ancient trade routes too

This is an article about the ancient overland trade routes of Aboriginal Australia. Written by Kudjala/Kalkadoon Elder from Queensland Letitia Murgha and intended mainly for teachers, it compares Aboriginal trading routes based on Dreaming pathways and songlines throughout Australia to the Silk Road and the spice trade ...

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'Garak the Universe - larrakitj', 2005

This is a larrakitj (hollow funeral pole) sculpture created and painted by Yolngu artist Gulumbu Yunupingu. It depicts the universe ('Garak'); not only all the stars that can be seen with the naked eye but everything that exists beyond. The larrakitj is shown here in a colour image that can be enlarged and is accompanied ...

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This Day Tonight: Sydney's Aboriginal rock carvings in danger, 1969

How and why do things that are precious and important sometimes get damaged or destroyed? This clip from 1969 gives us some answers. It explores what was happening to significant Aboriginal rock carvings in and around Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park in New South Wales. We see many of the carvings, and hear a museum curator ...

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Purdiwan: Pretty One

The Garrwa people live inland from the Gulf of Carpentaria, on either side of the border between the Northern Territory and Queensland. In this brief but beautiful animation, a Garrwa woman herds her pretty goats eastward.

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The Making of Modern Australia: Aunty Beryl Carmichael on spirit and culture

Ngiyaampaa Elder Aunty Beryl Carmichael speaks in this clip about how important it is that Aboriginal people care for, or nurture, their spiritual self. She discusses the way things are connected and the importance of Dreaming stories. She also explains why she passes on knowledge and cultural heritage to younger members ...

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The Chicken Hawk and the Crow

The Wuyaliya and Mambaliya clans of the Yanyuwa people live on the Gulf Coast of the Northern Territory, in and around Borroloola. The Wuyaliya clan are custodians of the Chicken Hawk Dreaming, while the Crow Dreaming belongs to the Mambaliya. In this fast-moving animation, the Chicken Hawk and the Crow argue over water ...

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Trees and connection

Yuin, Bunurong and Tasmanian man Bruce Pascoe explains his connection to Country and introduces us to a family of trees. In what ways does Bruce’s relationship with the Earth differ from yours?

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Dust Echoes, Ep, 3: Brolga Song

In 'Brolga' we explore the importance and meaning of a 'dreaming-body' to Indigenous Australians. The belief of the Aboriginal people is that there was a time where supernatural beings roamed the face of the earth. Many were like the animals we see around us today, like the kangaroo, emu, goanna and the king brown snake, ...

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Aboriginal Cultures, Ch 1: Introduction to culture with Aunty Julie

What does culture mean to you? We all have a culture we identify with, whether it's linked to our nationality, ethnicity, religious beliefs or language. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture plays an especially significant role. Why do you think this is? Think about what happened to Aboriginal Country, ...

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This Place: Birian Balunah - the birthing of the rivers

Paula Nihot shares a story told to her by Yugambeh Elder Patricia O’Connor. It's the story of Wanungara, queen of the mountains, and her daughters Princess Toolona and Princess Caningera, and how their complicated relationships and choices explain the geography of the region.

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Dust Echoes, Ep 10: The Wagalak Sisters

The Wagalak Sisters are creation sisters. In this telling of the story, there are two sisters, but there could have been three, four or more. The sisters carry their power in their dilly bags. When they walk, they use the contents of their dilly bags to create the landscape. In their hands, the landscape that is created ...

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Dust Echoes, Ep 11: The Bat and the Butterfly

'Bat and Butterfly' is about Aboriginal moieties and what happens if you do not follow Aboriginal law. In central Arnhem Land there are two moieties, Yirritja and Dhuwa. Yirritja families must marry Dhuwa and vice versa. In this story the man, however talented he may be, behaves like a coward when he abducts a girl from ...

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BTN: Aboriginal astronomy

Many ancient cultures studied the night sky, and we know this because it is reflected in some of the earliest stories we have on record. Learn about one of these stories in this video. Other than the Dreamtime stories, what other evidence might there be that the Aboriginal people studied the stars?

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a-Kuridi: The Groper

In this spectaular animation, the Groper travels around South West Island in the Gulf of Carpentaria, close to the Northern Territory mainland. She visits different Dreaming countries while creating waterways, plantations and rock formations. The Groper's story belongs to the Wuyaliya clan of the Yanyuma people. This story ...

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My Place - Episode 25: Before Time: Bunda, Fishing

At the creek, Bunda's father tells him and his brother to catch a fish. Each uses a different method of fishing and Bunda's method of building a small dam proves to be the most successful. Their father is annoyed that they are not working together.

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My Place - Episode 25: Before Time: Bunda, Water

Bunda and his brother Garadi are competing with each other to find the best method of transporting water. Bunda constructs a raft to carry the water down the river, while his brother carries his water on foot. Bunda's father then tells his sons to bring him something that takes two to get.

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This Place: Burringurrah - the boy who ran from initiation

Charlie Snowball tells the story of Burringurrah, a landform named after a boy who ran away from tribal initiation. Also known as Mount Augustus, Burringurrah in Western Australia is often claimed to be the world’s largest rock. What other significant rock features is Australia known for?

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The Traditional Owners of Perth: Whadjuk country

Ever wondered what life was like for the traditional owners of Perth before the British arrived in 1829? Whadjuk [pronounced wod-JUK] Noongar Elder and ambassador Dr Noel Nannup talks about traditional Whadjuk ways of life and key cultural places in Perth, and he teaches us the Noongar words for some Perth suburbs (such ...

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Dreaming about Country

Discover the rich and beautiful world of Edwin Lee Mulligan's dreams, recorded in paintings and stories. In this clip on his work 'Ngarlimbah - it's about us', he tells one of his dreams of Country - his country, his mother's country and his father's country - the places, trees, mountains, rivers and creatures that connect ...