Sutherland Shire Historical Society (SSHS) is hosting a Night at the Museum this Friday to celebrate a new acquisition - a traditional bark canoe made by Aboriginal community leader, Dean Kelly from the La Perouse Aboriginal Community.
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Dean’s grandfather was a traditional tools and weapons maker, and it was by sitting and watching him practice his craft that Dean and many of his uncles learned the skill.
‘Making tools and weapons is in my blood, and by continuing the practice I keep the legacies of my old people alive,” Dean said.
He sees it as his cultural responsibility to ensure these skills are practiced, maintained and passed on to future generations.
Dean holds workshops teaching traditional skills such as canoe and spear making to young Aboriginals and to the wider community.
In 2016 he received an Australia Day Community Service Award by Randwick Council for his community work with indigenous youth.
Another ancient custom to take place at the Night at the Museum will be a smoking ceremony, where native plants are burnt to produce smoke.
Smoking ceremonies are used for many different reasons, such as helping spirits pass over to the spirit world, for healing celebrations and to bring people together.
‘We are building quite a significant collection of Aboriginal artefacts in our Museum,” SSHS president Bruce Watt said.
“It plays homage to the traditional owners of the Shire, the Dharawal people.’
In 2020 the Shire will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Captain Cook’s landing at Kurnell and the meeting of two cultures. Cook noted how the Aboriginal people - the Gweagal clan (who were Dharawal speakers) - used these canoes for fishing around Botany Bay.
The Night at the Museum’s ceremony will be held this Friday, October 26 from 6pm.
Didgeridoo player Lachlan Ting will perform at the ceremony.
Wine and nibbles will be served. Admission is free, and all are welcome.
Address: 23 East Parade, Sutherland (western side of Sutherland Railway Station).