CITY OF ALBANY EVENTS
Whale illustration by Brianna Williams
MENANG MARITME HISTORY EXPLORATION EVENINGS
When
Monday, 3 July
Tuesday, 11 July
Monday, 17 July
Doors open at 6pm
Where
Six Degrees
Pricing
$30 per person
Dinner and beverage included in ticket price
Join Menang Elders and local historians as they explore ancient Menang culture and history and their long standing connection to the maritime environment.
Held across three enriching evenings with five knowledgeable and engaging presenters, the sessions explore traditional fishing techniques, whaling, coastal formation and more.
More information on each session is available below.
Dinner and a glass of wine/beer/soda included in the ticket price. Choose between three appetizing dishes straight from the ocean – mixed seafood paella, garlic butter prawns or chilli mussels. Vegan and vegetarian options are available on request. Meal choice made on arrival at venue.
Topics
Tides of Time: Unveiling the Legacy of Menang Noongar Fishing Traditions
Monday, 3 July
Join Menang Noongar Elder Carol Pettersen and local author Sarah Drummond for a captivating conversation delving into the rich heritage of traditional fishing in the region and its evolution over time. Explore the intriguing history of whaling and salmon fishing in the Great Southern as Carol Pettersen sheds light on traditional Noongar fishing techniques, drawing comparisons to modern practices and highlighting the distinct roles men and women played in fishing traditions. Additionally, Sarah Drummond will share fascinating insights into the early days of salmon fishing as well as touch on estuarine fishing in Albany. Don't miss this enlightening discussion on the past and present of fishing in our local area.
Menang Noongar and the Sea
RESCHEDULED : Monday, 17 July
Join Adam Wolfe and Harley Coyne to explore the Menang Noongar people’s relationship with the sea and the region's estuaries and rivers.
Beginning with accounts of past sea level rise following the end of the last ice age and the formation of the current Albany coastline, the talk will discuss the understanding and use of the region's rich maritime resources in the context of the wider Menang economy, society, and culture. This will range from drift whaling to fishing technology, from trade to the movement of peoples.
Previous accounts of this important history have been fragmented. This talk aims to provide a more connected and broader view that acknowledges that past attitudes and understanding of what constitutes a maritime culture have greatly limited understanding of the Noongar Menang's practical and spiritual experience of the sea and the waters that flow into it.
Ancient Waters: The Oyster Harbour Fish Traps
Tuesday, 11 July
Explore Albany's cultural heritage with Menang Noongar Elder Vernice Gillies as she passionately shares her profound knowledge of the Oyster Harbour Fish Traps. These remarkable traps, built by the Noongar people, represent the oldest man-made structures in Australia, spanning over 6,500 years of history.
In an engaging and enlightening talk, Vernice Gillies will lead you through the captivating story of these fish traps, revealing their ingenious design and the intricate relationship they forged between humans and the tides.
Discover the timeless legacy of the Oyster Harbour Fish Traps, and the deep connection the Menang Noongar people have to the land.
The Maritime Festival is presented by the City of Albany and is supported by the State Government through Tourism Western Australia and Royalties for Regions.
