Foreword

Guraban: where the saltwater meets the freshwater is a significant exhibition for Hurstville Museum & Gallery.

As a converged facility – both a museum and a gallery – this marks the second time our exhibition space has simultaneously reflected our two halves. Often alternating between a social history (or ‘museum’) exhibition and a visual arts (or ‘gallery’) show, this exhibition showcases the full potential of a combined facility, as we present side by side aspects of the First Nations history of the Georges River accompanied by works of art responding to the themes and objects on display.

While the Georges River was explored by Europeans in the 1790s, it has played an important role for the Bidjigal People, the Traditional Custodians of this region, and many other First Nations communities. For thousands of years First Nations peoples have lived along this waterway - the Dharug, Bidjigal, Cabrogal to the north and the Dharawal, Gandangara, Norongaragal and Gweagal to the south. The river has always been an important focal point for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander life and culture in southern Sydney, for food, transport, and trade, as well as the land, flora and fauna, the sea, and sky, all part of embedded connections to Country.

Taking its name from the Dharawal word for bitterwater, Guraban, meaning where the saltwater meets the freshwater, combines historical objects, documents and photographs sourced from public and private collections, positioned alongside the work of commissioned First Nations visual artists,

Dennis Golding, Jenine Boeree and Nicole Monks, (mother and daughter), Djon Mundine, Marilyn Russell and Jason Wing. Through these art works multiple connections to the Georges River and its history are explored along with its continuous, ongoing associations with First Nations communities. Funding secured from Create NSW has made possible these commissioned artworks by leading First Nations artists.

Guraban was developed in collaboration with local First Nations groups, individuals, the artists, and the Gujaga Foundation, a peak Dharawal organisation leading language, cultural and research activities. They provide Language and Cultural advice to educational, government and corporate organisations within their cultural boundary of eastern, southern and south western Sydney.

At the heart of most cultural institutions is storytelling, and one of Hurstville Museum & Gallery’s strengths is its focus on revealing the many diverse historical and contemporary stories of the Georges River community. The Council’s Cultural Strategy, Create, highlights the link between culture and place, exploring how our community’s activities, backgrounds, and beliefs impact upon the place where we live. This exhibition demonstrates the value of showcasing aspects of the social, cultural, and environmental history of the Georges River area to the local community and beyond.

To our exhibition lenders and oral history participants, thank you for sharing your stories, memories, and collections. It is through the items displayed and personal accounts and recollections that the personal lives of First Nations people and their connections to the Georges River area come alive.

To our commissioned artists, thank you for your support and enthusiasm for and participation in the exhibition.

Finally, to Hurstville Museum & Gallery staff for all your assistance with and dedication to the many practical, administrative, conceptual, and programming tasks that made the exhibition possible – a huge team effort. To the curators, Vanessa Jacob, and Renee Porter, you should both be very proud of this exhibition. Vanessa, you researched collections and listened with care to First Nations community members, uncovering fascinating stories and images related to their ongoing connections to the Georges River, while working with and managing the consultation with the Gujaga Foundation and its members. Renee, you worked very hard with the commissioned artists on your ‘wish list’, through patience and persistence, to achieve the works included in the exhibition, highlighting the importance of visual arts at Hurstville Museum & Gallery.

I hope our visitors enjoy uncovering the intertwined connections between the artworks and historical items in Guraban, gaining insights into the longstanding First Nations connections with the Georges River area. It is hoped that this is the beginning of an ongoing dialogue, building on established relationships with our First Nations communities and recognising the continuity of First Nations culture, history, and connection, integral to the Georges River and its many stories of people and place.

Claire Baddeley Acting Coordinator Cultural Services Hurstville Museum & Gallery