Corroboree and Goorie art and artefacts exhibition

The Corroboree is held in conjunction with an exhibition of Goorie art and artefacts, which attracts 700 visitors. This runs in the Great Hall for four days and is jointly arranged by the University’s Art Advisory Group, the Awabakal Aboriginal Co-operative and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission. It is supported by Wollutuka Education Centre, AIATSIS, the University of New South Wales.

Both the corroboree and exhibition are part of a program of reviving the teaching of Aboriginal lore by several groups. They includes the Newcastle Awabakal Aboriginal Cooperative. Bill Smith advises that to date 22 males had undergone traditional manhood ceremonies and had become custodians of land and culture. Knowledge is being passed by their tribal elders to them. This renewed interest in Aboriginal culture is helding rebuild dignity and respect both towards and between local Aboriginal peoples.