An exhibition of exceptional quilts celebrating Whadjuk activist Fanny Balbuk Yooreel provided an inspirational start to the 2017 Australian Heritage Festival at City of Perth Library on Tuesday 18 April which was launched by Mr John Carey MLA, Parliamentary Secretary representing the Hon David Templeman MLA, Minister for Local Government; Heritage; Culture and The Arts.
National Trust of Western Australia President Max Kay Cit WA said this year’s Festival theme, Having a Voice, acknowledges the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum enabling Aboriginal people to be subject to commonwealth laws and counted in the national census.
“Community groups across the state have also embraced the theme to share seldom heard Western Australian voices through 120 events, performances, exhibitions, walks, talks and workshops during the festival which runs from 18 April – 21 May,” Mr Kay said.
The National Trust is leading this year’s theme of Having a Voice through a program of events about Fanny Balbuk Yooreel, a traditional Swan River woman who lived through the colonisation of Perth first hand and who passionately protested the impact of development on her homelands and culture.
“The Trust has been guided by Noongar women and their extended families in partnership with the City of Perth, ARC Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Lotterywest to share this rarely heard voice with the Perth Community,” he said.
The Festival which is coordinated by the National Trust raises awareness of and appreciation for shared heritage in cities and towns across the state.
“The National Trust is delighted to work with the community to organise the event annually and a great many heritage experiences are free and low cost,” Mr Kay said.
The 2017 Australian Heritage Festival is supported by funding from the Australian Government, Lotterywest and promotion by Curtin FM.
The Festival’s 56 page program is available here 2017 AHF WA Program
For more information: Contact Communication Officer Gina Pickering on P (08) 9321 6088 M 0408 584 404 or Festival Coordinator Julie Hutchens on P (08) 9321 6088.
