Award-winning writer and leading Indigenous historian, Bruce Pascoe, presented the keynote address exploring Australia’s failure to know its history at a sell-out Myall Creek and Beyond symposium that took place last week on a surprisingly mild winters day. Bruce also generously agreed to signing the many books presented to him and pose in photo moments throughout the day.
Held in the Oorala Aboriginal Centre the event attracted 165 delegates, including community members, university students, local Aboriginal community members, staff and Year 12 students from Armidale High School.
Professor Lyndall Ryan and Professor Jane Lydon also launched their book Remembering Myall Creek, which sold all available copies on the day.
Greg Davison, Director of the Oorala Aboriginal Centre, thanked all who attended the symposium and said the day exceeded the organisers expectations.
“I’m sure that everyone got a lot out of the day and is confident that the future benefits of this event will be far reaching. The outstanding partnership between UNE, Oorala and NERAM created a respectful, professional and beneficial event and we would like to collaborate on similar events in future.”
The symposium was presented in partnership with the New England Regional Art Museum, better known as NERAM, and the National Committee of the Friends of Myall Creek Memorial as part of a series of events commemorating the 180th anniversary of the Myall Creek massacre.