So many amazing events over NAIDOC Week, such a celebration of First Nations culture and contributions to our community. Thanks to everyone who came along to our stall at NAIDOC in the North.
There is still time to see many of the amazing exhibitions that were part of the NAIDOC Week celebrations – details below. This newsletter also lists many events of interest in August and September, as well as updates on key campaigning issues and links of interest.
ANTaR ACT Organising Group
The next meeting of the ANTaR ACT organising group will be online at 6pm on Monday 10 August (we will return to in person meetings in spring). If you would like to join us and be involved in our ongoing advocacy and actions, please contact us info@antaract.org.au.
Email and website update
We have moved to a new provider to host our website and emails and so hoping there will be no more technical problems. We will still monitor the gmail address we created as an alternative (antaract99@gmail.com), but hopefully the email address associated with our website can be our main contact point again. Apologies again for the difficulty in contacting us in recent times.
Campaigning: Boomanulla Oval and Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm
Returning both Boomanulla Oval and the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm to First Nations community control has been a key focus of our campaigning in partnership with Active Democracy Bean. We were very pleased to see that there has been progress announced for both facilities, though also aware that there is still a long way to go before the transitions are complete.
For Boomanulla Oval, there was a key milestone with the meeting of a new committee to oversee the transition. For more information, see: www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-15/boomanulla-oval-canberra-indigenous-control/106918978.
For the Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm, the ACT Government has announced that it will work with Aboriginal organisation Yeddung Mura to oversee the transition to community control. For more information, see: https://region.com.au/after-24-years-ngunnawal-bush-healing-farm-begins-journey-to-community-control/985492/.
The Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm Aboriginal Corporation released a media release congratulating Yeddung Mura on its successful tender. The Corporation said they will continue to walk alongside ACT Health and Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm to realise the original vision of the founding Elders. You can read the full media release here:
For more background about the importance of returning these facilities to community control, see our briefing notes prepared prior to the 2024 ACT elections, as well as the 2024 David Hunter Memorial Lecture, where the speakers highlighted why community control matters so much.
- Boomanulla Oval: https://antaract.org.au/briefing-return-boomanulla-oval-to-community-control/.
- Ngunnawal Bush Healing Farm: https://antaract.org.au/briefing-transfer-the-ngunnawal-bush-healing-farm-nbhf-to-community-control/.
- 2024 David Hunter Memorial Lecture – ACT-ION! ACT for Indigenous Outcomes Now! https://antaract.org.au/dhml-2024-act-ion-act-for-indigenous-outcomes-now-2/.
Links of interest
Closing the Gap Annual Data Compilation Report July 2026
The 2026 Annual Data Compilation Report (ADCR) and July 2026 dashboard update were released on 29 July 2026. The ADCR tracks Australia’s performance towards the targets and indicators in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and incorporates the latest data from the Productivity Commission (PC) Closing the Gap Dashboard.
This year’s report continues to show mixed progress across the 19 targets: one target has been met, 3 are on track to be met, and outcomes for a further 5 targets have improved but are not on track. Two targets are assessed as having no change from the baseline year, while outcomes for 4 socio-economic targets are worsening. The PC is still unable to assess progress against four targets.
www.pc.gov.au/closing-the-gap-data/annual-data-report/2026/
The PC will be holding a webinar where Commissioner Selwyn Button and Assistant Commissioner Amanda Meric highlight key takeaways from the data and report.
Friday 14 August, 1pm – to register: Microsoft Teams Event – Webinar: Closing the Gap – 2026 Annual Data Compilation Report and Dashboard update.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Catalogue
This art catalogue showcases works created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees within the Alexander Maconcohie Centre. These are available for sale.
www.act.gov.au/law-and-justice/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-art-catalogue
Contentions with Traditional Owner Recognition in the Australian Capital Territory
Substack article by Ed Wensing, subtitled: Questionable assumptions and unanswered questions. https://edwensing.substack.com/p/contentions-with-traditional-owner
Events Coming Up
Reconciliation Peer Network Meeting
Tuesday 11 August, 2pm-3.30pm, ACTCOSS, 1/6 Gritten St, Weston and online
The Reconciliation Peer Network (RecNet) is an informal group designed to bring together ACT community organisations interested in reconciliation, information sharing and supporting organisations in their reconciliation journeys, including through the process of developing and implementing a Reconciliation Action Plan. Membership to the Reconciliation Network is open to all community sector organisations in the ACT. The August meeting will include special guests from Reconciliation Australia.
More information and registration: https://actcoss.org.au/news-and-events/events-and-training/event/?reset=1&id=221
Friday Art Talk – Responses: Art v Science
Friday 14 August, 12noon, National Gallery of Australia, Level 1, Gallery 7
Meet at the intersection of art and science as First Nations astrophysicist and Cultural Astronomer Peter Swanton, Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay people, investigates the interconnectedness between contemporary science, visual art and the world’s oldest living continuous culture.
More information (free, drop-in event, capacity limited): https://nga.gov.au/events/art-v-science/.
ANU Community Day
Saturday 15 August, Australian National University
As part of the celebrations to mark turning 80, ANU is holding an ANU Community Day on Saturday 15 August. This will include interactive workshops, exhibitions, presentations, music, face painting, and real scientific projects, alongside works from ANU student artists and musicians. The following events held on this day focus on First Nations experiences, many presented by the Tjabal Indigenous Higher Education Centre. For more information about the event generally, see: https://www.anu.edu.au/about/our-history/80-years-together/anu-community-day-on-15-august.
- Bush tucker walking tour (11am) – Discover the native plants growing across the ANU campus and the role they have played in sustaining Ngunnawal and Ngambri people for millennia. Led by proud Kamilaroi man, ANU Kambri Scholar and Arts and Science student Noah Smith, this guided walking tour draws on his experience with Bush to Bowl and his passion for native foods. https://www.anu.edu.au/about/our-history/80-years-together/activities/bush-tucker-walking-tour
- ANU tree carvings (modified trees) tour (12noon) – Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri-Kamberri Walgalu custodian shares his connection to Country. The contemporary tree carvings at ANU are a story of claiming Country, one tree at a time. https://www.anu.edu.au/events/anu-tree-carvings-modified-trees-tour
- ANU Art Collection tours of First Nations artwork (12.45pm and 2pm) – Two guided tours offer a closer look at remarkable works from the ANU Art Collection. At 12.45pm, join ANU Art Collection Curators Oscar Capezio and Hetty Gascoigne for a guided tour exploring a selection of visually striking and culturally significant paintings from the Western Desert. At 2pm, Join ANU Art Collection Curator Oscar Capezio and Emeritus Professor Howard Morphy for a guided tour exploring a selection of visually striking and culturally significant paintings from Northeast Arnhem Land. https://www.anu.edu.au/about/our-history/80-years-together/activities/anu-art-collection-tours-of-first-nations-artwork
- Propagating bush tucker plants with the Tjabal Centre (3pm) – Native food plants take centre stage in this hands-on session at the ANU Kitchen Garden Plot. Learn how to propagate popular bush tucker plants, sample native snacks and take home a plant to grow yourself. https://www.anu.edu.au/events/propagating-bush-tucker-plants-with-the-tjabal-centre
On Country tour: Mt Taylor
Sunday 16 August, 10am-12noon, Mt Taylor
Through his company Thunderstone, Ngunawal Traditional Custodian Tyronne Bell runs workshops so Canberrans can learn about Ngunawal language and country. The list of upcoming public workshops and tours is available at: www.thunderstone.net.au/book-online.
At 856 metres, Mount Taylor is a prominent hill in Southern Canberra. It provides habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna, including a number of endangered species. Highlights: Aboriginal interpretation of the landscape, bush foods, artefacts/stone tools and their traditional uses, scenic views across Tuggeranong and Woden valleys.
For more information and bookings: www.thunderstone.net.au/service-page/mt-taylor-tour-16-august-10am-12pm.
LOCAL Politics in the Pub: Western Edge
Monday 17 August, 5.30-7.30pm, Irish Club, 6 Parkinson St, Weston
In August, LOCAL Politics in the Pub will explore protecting the Western Edge of Canberra from urban sprawl.
Canberra’s Western Edge is 9,800 hectares of critically endangered ecosystems, Indigenous cultural sites, productive farms and a place of recreation and relaxation for many Canberrans to the west of Canberra – bordered by the Murrumbidgee River and the regions of Belconnen, Molonglo Valley, Weston Creek and Kambah.
This event will commence with a screening of Trent Houssenloge’s film The Edge, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A moderated by Mark Spain with:
- Trent Houssenloge, Cowboy Hat Films
- Aiobhinn Crimmins, ACT Conservation Council
- Selina Walker, Ngunnawal leader
- Jenny Edwards, Light House ArchiScience
- Kim Farley, Canberra Birds
For more information and registration (preferred): https://events.humanitix.com/saving-the-western-edge.
Wallabindi: In story and song
Wednesday 2 September, 6-7.15pm, National Library of Australia Theatre (and online)
Join First Nations artist and musician Wallabindi for an uplifting evening of music, storytelling and connection.
Performing under her reclaimed name, Wallabindi (Monica Harland/Monica Moore) is a proud First Nations woman of Wardandi Bibbulmun Noongar and Yamatji heritage, and a Myanmar woman who has called Ngunnawal Country home for more than 20 years.
Drawing strength from her late mother, a survivor of the Stolen Generations, and the resilience of her ancestors, Wallabindi creates deeply moving performances that weave together personal stories, culture and song. Accompanied by Richard Gorter on guitar and Jon Jones on percussion, enjoy a heartfelt evening of powerful music, rich storytelling and shared reflection.
For more information and bookings (free event, bookings essential): https://www.library.gov.au/whats-on/events/wallabindi-story-and-song.
Wearable Weaving with Jessika Spencer
Saturday 12 September, 11am – 12noon, Lanyon Homestead, Tharwa
Join Wiradjuri artist Jessika Spencer of Ngurru at Lanyon Homestead, for a hands-on Floriade weaving workshop. In this culturally immersive session, participants will learn introductory weaving techniques while creating their own wearable woven bracelet or armband to take home. Jessika will share stories of weaving as a cultural practice connected to care and connection to Country.
For more information and bookings (essential): https://events.humanitix.com/workshop-wearable-weaving-with-jessika-spencer-or-floriade-at-lanyon-2026 .
Imperialism and Resistance: Australia’s First Wars
Thursday 17 and Friday 18 September, Australian War Memorial Theatre
From the colonial frontiers of Australia to the South African veldt, Australia’s first wars were fought across the expanses of the British Empire.
Imperialism and Resistance: Australia’s First Wars is a two-day conference that brings together authors, historians, and curators to reflect on the Australian Frontier Wars and Australia’s earliest overseas military commitments to the British Empire.
Speakers will explore Australia’s nineteenth-century military history, with presentations on the Frontier Wars, the mid-century New Zealand Wars, and colonial deployments to Sudan, China, and the South African (Boer) War.
For more information and registration: https://www.awm.gov.au/imperialism-and-resistance.
Rechelle Turner & Wallabindi | Yuma Yarn
Saturday 19 September, 2-4pm, Tharwa Community Hall, North St, Tharwa
Learn the joyful, meditative practice of slow-stitched coiled weaving in a relaxed and conversational environment with wonderful live music.
Wiradjiri artist Rechelle Turner will guide you through the process of stitching and shaping your own coiled piece using raffia. As your hands work, enjoy rich and soulful music by Wallabindi – a Wardandi Bibbulmun Noongar, Yamatji and Burmese singer and songwriter.
By the end of the workshop, you will have the start of a coiled piece to take home and continue growing using the techniques you have learnt. All are welcome – no experience is required and materials will be provided.
For more information and bookings (required): https://tuggeranongarts.com/yuma-yarn-2026/.
On Country tour: Black Mountain
Sunday 27 September, 10am-12noon, Black Mountain
Through his company Thunderstone, Ngunawal Traditional Custodian Tyronne Bell runs workshops so Canberrans can learn about Ngunawal language and country. The list of upcoming public workshops and tours is available at: www.thunderstone.net.au/book-online.
Following the tracks and service trails of Black Mountain, an Aboriginal guide will interpret the mountain’s changing landscape since ancient times.
Highlights: Aboriginal interpretation of the landscape, bush foods, artefacts/stone tools and their traditional uses, panoramic views of Canberra.
For more information and bookings: www.thunderstone.net.au/service-page/black-mt-tour-27-september-10am-12pm.
Jessica Mauboy: The Story of Me
Saturday 3 October, 7.30pm, Canberra Theatre
Join Jessica Mauboy for a deeply personal and unforgettable evening in The Story of Me: A Musical Journey Through My Career.
Through music and candid storytelling, Jessica reflects on her extraordinary evolution from a young Darwin girl to one of Australia’s most celebrated artists. For the first time, she opens up about the defining moments of her career, the highs, the setbacks, and the resilience it took to keep moving forward. For one night only, this intimate performance offers a rare glimpse into Jessica Mauboy as an artist, entrepreneur, and proud Indigenous woman.
For more information and bookings: https://canberratheatrecentre.com.au/show/jessica-mauboy-2026/.
Exhibitions
Exhibitions: Tuggeranong Arts Centre
All to Saturday 15 August
Marissa McDowell & Us Mob | Dyeing Words, From Soil to Silk
Dyeing Words – from Soil to Silk is a play on words from colonisation to re-birth and continuation of story, language and connection to country. This is a cross-pollination of multi-disciplinary art and cultural practices that combine First Nation poetry from Us Mob Writers, the longest running published First Nations Australian writers’ group, transferred onto large scale hand dyed silk.
For more information: https://tuggeranongarts.com/marissa-mcdowell-us-mob-dyeing-words-from-soil-to-silk-19-jun-15-aug/.
Wallabindi & Harry’s Clary | Sistahood: Circles, Cycles and Spirals
A powerful collaboration between Harry’s Clarry and Wallabindi with sisterhood at its core, this interactive collection of works is an exploration of culture, sistahood, motherhood, memories, trauma, resilience, creativity, love and history, through the symbolism of Circles and Spirals.
Wallabindi is a contemporary Aboriginal (Wardandi Bibbulmun Noongar, Yamatji) and Burmese artist who has been creating on Ngunnawal Country for over 20 years. She is descended from the Wardandi Noongars of South Western Australia, with strong family connections up and down the WA coast.
Harrys Clarry is a proud Gamilaraay woman born to a mother from the stolen generation, raised on Darug Country, and living on Ngunnawal Country since 2009. Healing connection to culture and breaking cycles through art.
For more information: https://tuggeranongarts.com/wallabindi-harrys-clary-sistahood-circles-cycles-and-spirals-19-jun-15-aug/.
Leilani Dewis | Ngiaga (I/I am)
Ngiaga (I/I am) draws on Leilani’s personal, cultural, spiritual and social connections, shaping an exhibition that traces the arc of life—from birth and living, to death and what lies beyond. Through this journey, the work explores the ways in which all aspects of existence—physical, emotional and spiritual—are interconnected.
For more information: https://tuggeranongarts.com/leilani-dewis-ngiaga-i-i-am-19-jun-15-aug/.
Thread: Connecting Stories and Community
To Sunday 13 September, National Portrait Gallery
For millennia, clothing and body adornment have shaped, and made visible, connections to land, community and culture. Developed through ongoing conversations between artists and community members from the South-East Queensland city of Logan and the National Portrait Gallery, Thread: Connecting stories and community traces the relationships between garments and the histories, labour and knowledge systems of First Peoples, and offers pathways for deeper intercultural understanding.
For more information: https://portrait.gov.au/exhibitions/thread-2026.
Exhibitions: Belconnen Arts Centre
To Saturday 23 August
Corella & Crow | Ngurambang-dhi (from Country) 2025 Country to Couture Collection
Ngurambang-dhi is a collection by First Nations fashion label Corella & Crow, founded by designers Rechelle Turner and Megan Daley. The works presented in this exhibition were originally created for the 2025 runway of Country to Couture and are shared here at Belco Arts as part of an ongoing conversation between fashion, Country and community.
For more information: www.belcoarts.com.au/ngurambang-dhi/.
Leilani Dewis | Ngiaga (I/I am)
Ngiaga (I/I am) is a collaborative series of mixed media works created with other First Nations artists, with whom the artist shares a close relationship. Together, we explore interconnected stages of life through 10 themes: Birth, Connection, Heritage, Culture, Community, Society, Lived Experience, Mother Earth, Spirituality, and Purpose (Life Path). These works reflect the stages we move through, not only as individuals, but as part of a collective experience shaped by culture, connection, and community.
For more information: www.belcoarts.com.au/ngiaga-ii-am/.
Alana Harris | My Country, My Connection – Full Circle
From the artist: As a First Nations woman, I have been fortunate enough to live on both my Grandmother and Grandfather’s countries for most of my life. I am a very proud Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri woman who is now fortunate enough to live on beautiful Yuin Nation country, a place my mother lived for the last 20 years of her life while maintaining her traditional connection to our homelands. These three connections are full circle for me.
For more information: www.belcoarts.com.au/my-country-my-connection-full-circle/.
Yawarj Mara – Strong Pathways – Young Men’s Group
Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation presents the Yawarj Mara – Strong Pathways – Young Men’s Group Art Exhibition. The Yawarj Mara program, led by proud Ngunnawal and Wiradjuri man Mitchell Daley, commenced in February 2024 and brings together Aboriginal young people aged 10 to 18 from Greater Belconnen, Gungahlin, and North Canberra. Over 40 Aboriginal young people are regularly engaged in the program.
For more information: www.belcoarts.com.au/yawarj-mara-strong-pathways-young-mens-group/.
Ngura Puḻka – Epic Country
To Sunday 23 August, Level 1, Galleries 2-7, National Gallery of Australia
Ngura Puḻka – Epic Country is an artist-led project, showcasing major works by senior First Nations artists and collectives from the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, Coober Pedy and Tarntanya/Adelaide, in South Australia. These ambitious works depict Country while celebrating the powerful Tjukurpa (Aṉangu law/cultural stories) that lies within.
An epic project both in scale and scope, the creation of large-scale paintings reinforces artists’ connection to Country. Through stories and distinctive designs, they continue to strengthen their cultural knowledge, and knowledge of their homelands. Individual artists and women’s and men’s collectives bring their Tjukurpa to life on canvas – sometimes through explosions of colour, sometimes in a muted palette.
For more information, see: https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/ngura-pulka-epic-country/.
Hermannsburg
To Sunday 23 August, Level 1, Gallery 2B, National Gallery of Australia
The Hermannsburg School is an art movement pioneered by Western Arrarnta artist Albert Namatjira (1902–1959). This exhibition displays works by Namatjira, including painted spearthrowers, alongside watercolours by family members including sons Enos and Ewald Namatjira, son-in-law Benjamin Landara, and brother-in-law and ‘breakaway’ painter Otto Pareroultja. Ceramics by Judith Pungarta Inkamala, who grew up watching Namatjira paint, are displayed alongside pots by Carol Panangka Rontji, demonstrating the stylistic evolutions of the Hermannsburg School.
For more information, see: https://nga.gov.au/exhibitions/hermannsburg/.
Wangka Wakaṉutja: The Story of the Papunya Literature Production Centre
To Sunday 11 October, Level 1, Exhibition Gallery, National Library of Australia
Papunya is a remote Aboriginal community in the Western Desert region of the Northern Territory, and the birthplace of the internationally known Western Desert art movement. Between 1979 and 1990, the Papunya Literature Production Centre (PLPC) produced hundreds of Pintupi-Luritja bilingual books guided by the community’s Elders, among them pioneers of the Western Desert Art movement. The illustrated books were produced as literacy tools for local schoolchildren and tell stories of first contact, Dreamings, community life, plants, animals and more. Some are funny and wildly creative. Others are moving, dramatic and extraordinary.
‘Wangka Wakaṉutja’ is Pintupi-Luritja for ‘the story has been told’.
For more information, see: www.library.gov.au/whats-on/exhibitions/wangka-wakanutja.
Anengkerr-penh/From the Dreaming
Gallery of First Australians, National Museum of Australia
Anengkerr-penh/From the Dreaming explores the work and legacy of Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri/Peltharr, an Anmatyerr man, ceremonial leader and one of Australia’s most significant artists.
For more information, see: www.nma.gov.au/exhibitions/anengkerr-penh-from-the-dreaming.
ANTaR ACT acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which Canberra is situated, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. We also acknowledge other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may visit this area.