Discover how ancient rock art on Balanggarra Country in the Kimberley, Western Australia, is being brought to life through a unique collaboration between traditional owners and scientists.

Join a Kwini traditional owner, a geologist, and a Tasmanian Aboriginal scholar as they share stories of the enduring significance of rock art. Explore how Balanggarra Country’s rock art reveals stories of cultural resilience and groundbreaking discoveries. Ian’s vision of “two ways to see” offers a fresh perspective on preserving and understanding this heritage, connecting ancient traditions with today’s world.

This talk highlights the power of partnerships to unlock deeper insights into our shared history and cultural identity. Tickets are free but essential. Get yours now to avoid disappointment.

Image: 'Umalli' and 'Gamballi', Kwini creator spirits. Photographer: Mark Jones.

The experts

Ian Waina, Kwini man from the Kalumburu community in the far north-east corner of the Kimberley
Emeritus Professor Andy Gleadow, geologist, and former Head of Earth Sciences, University of Melbourne.
Professor Greg Lehman, First Nations and well-known Tasmanian art historian and writer on Indigenous history, identity and place, University of Tasmania

Attend online

Prefer to attend online? Secure your tickets here.

Pre-event refreshments

Head to the venue early and enjoy complimentary refreshments from 5.30pm.

Event partner

This talk is brought to you in partnership by Rock Art Australia and the University of Tasmania.

About the experts

Ian Waina is a Kwini man from the Kalumburu community in the far north-east corner of the Kimberley. Ian has been part of rock art research teams from the very beginning, trying to understand how long ago the Old people painted the rock art. He brings his cultural knowledge which he has learnt from his parents and grandparents and shares it with the research teams. Ian believes that bringing cultural knowledge and scientific ways together helps answer some of the questions about the rock art and the history of the Old People. Seeing it both ways: the scientific way and the Aboriginal way. Ian is passionate about finding out more about his Ancestors and what it was like when they painted, their story – preserving the knowledge for future generations.

Emeritus Professor Andy Gleadow is a geologist and former Head of Earth Sciences at the University of Melbourne. He is a specialist in geological dating, pioneering new techniques for understanding the thermal evolution of the continental crust. He was also involved in the analysis of Moon rocks from the Apollo program and has worked on dating fossil hominin sites in East Africa. His work has been recognised by numerous awards, including the Research Medal of the Royal Society of Victoria, several medals from the Geological Society of Australia, the Jaeger Medal of the Australian Academy of Science, and the International Lazlett Prize for Thermochronology, amongst others. He has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, the American Geophysical Union, the Geochemistry Society and the European Association of Geochemistry. He was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the earth sciences and education in 2017.

Professor Greg Lehman is a First Nations Tasmanian art historian and writer on Indigenous history, identity and place. His work encourages better recognition and understanding of Aboriginal heritage and culture as a necessary part of Tasmania’s future. His research interests include colonial art history, visual cultures, Indigenous knowledges and environmental history. His continuing research aims to deepen understandings of human landscape history in Tasmania through engagement with visual histories, Indigenous culture, knowledges and perspectives.

Parking

Free parking, including accessible spaces, is available at the venue.

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