Yuin Astronomy
Event description
Join us for a night of star gazing and a delicious 3 course meal, at the beautiful Coolangatta Estate.
Listen to our local elders and subject experts on how our Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities read and lived according to the stars.
Based on the oldest, continuous living culture - we will be sharing insight into the first astronomers and the many practical applications such as navigation, weather forecasting and punctuating the seasons that continue to inform the community.
Much is assigned to what is seen in the skies; it has formed the basis for lore, social structures and passed down the generations through song, dance, and oral tradition over tens of thousands of years.
Our guest speakers:
Dr Robert Fuller - cultural astronomer, completed a PhD researching the cultural astronomy of the saltwater Aboriginal peoples of the Australian East Coast at UNSW. He has published works on the cultural astronomy of the Kamilaroi and Euahlayi peoples of New South Wales. He is now at the School of Science, Western Sydney University . Dr Fuller has been active in outreach to the non-Indigenous community through lectures and non-academic articles, and was the instigator of the successful documentary on Euahlayi astronomy, “Star Stories of the Dreaming”
Paul McLeod - Jrumpinjinbah - Yuin elder. Jrumpinjinbah means “crow medicine” and he has traveled the world sharing cultural stories, dance, music and art, carrying huge cultural responsibility for his people. He works tirelessly for the healing of this country and this world and is passionate about deepening our sense of belonging through cultural exchange.
Jrumpinjinbah sits on numerous boards and is a strong advocate for the rights of First Nations peoples. He promotes awareness of traditional culture and works with local governments, traditional owners, elders, communities and other organisations to better understand, develop and strengthen cross-cultural relationships throughout the entire community.
Additional note:
If you would like to stay overnight, we suggest you contact the venue directly, reception@coolangattaestate.com.au. We recommend you do this as soon as you have decided to attend, as we have not held any rooms, so it is not guaranteed they will be available.