Story: Jo Beth’s Day – Part Two
Episode: 10
Presenter: Jo Beth Taylor
Air Date: 26 December 2021

Jo finds out more about the island's history and culture by locating and connecting with the cultural landmarks of the island.

• The welcoming sculpture is the feature piece to a suite of enhancement projects on the island.
• Designed by WA artists Sharyn Egan and Jahne Rees with significant input from the Whadjuk Noongar community, the nine-metre-high sculpture depicts a Noongar warrior and breaching whale.
• The sculpture is about truth-telling. It celebrates the ancient spiritual connections to this place for Noongar people while referencing the brutal century-long imprisonment of Aboriginal boys and men on the island.
• Aboriginal culture is integral to the fabric of the island. One place to immerse yourself in it is at the Wadjemup Museum.
• The Wadjemup Museum has been recently renovated and has a range of exhibits including 40,000 yr old artefacts, contemporary artworks, and incredible sculptures.
• The museum is housed in the old Mill and Hay store and visitors can view the original millstone that Aboriginal prisoners on the island used to crush the grain from crops and make flour under a regime of forced labor.
• Between 1838 and 1931 approximately 3700 aboriginal men and boys from all over WA were forced to work here under dreadful conditions.
• Outside the museum, you can also explore the sculpture garden featuring WA artists whose work reflects the island’s complex and significant cultural history.
• The Museum is free and open every day from 10am – 3.30pm.

For more information, head to
https://ria.wa.gov.au