A together story: A Beginning

With Aunty Dot Bagshaw, Noongar Yorga (Woman), Elder and Carrolup Centre for Truth-telling Advisory Member for JCG, and Chris Malcolm, Curator of Once Known

Discussing Carrolup child artist Parnell Dempster and the role he played in beginning drawing, his life and legacy.

Facilitator: Ron Bradfield Jnr, a Bardi, Jawi Aamba (Man) and Community Cultural Advisor for John Curtin Gallery

A Together Story Speaks Truth to Power

JCG Reconciliation Week to NAIDOC Week Program

A Together Story is a series of discussions and truth telling talks about the children of The Carrolup Native Settlement's lives and the people that impacted them. The series is being held against the backdrop of the Once Known exhibition from Reconciliation Week to NAIDOC Week 2025.

Come share stories of the past, learn about the present, then, let’s move forward together on this path of Reconciliation. This series of conversations will introduce you to Stolen Generations community members, survivors of Carrolup, professional allies of these artworks, John Curtin Gallery staff who care for these works, and people who have become a living part of these stories themselves, through their own family connections in the area.

This series invites you to gain a deeper understanding and make the stories of these children part of your story. Attendance to all events is not necessary, however each event hopes to paint a bigger picture—whether you know a little or a lot, you're sure to leave learning more.

This series is made possible by Brookfield Place and Lotterywest.

Header image: Parnell Dempster commencing his oil painting with Florence Rutter, January 1950. On loan from Theo van Gelder. © Vera Hack