Eora First People

This exhibition takes us on a journey from Tasmania to far Northern Queensland and the Torres Strait, exploring the way in which the sea and waterways are intrinsically linked to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture. The Eora Gallery has been redeveloped and reopened on Friday 9 March, with an exciting new collection of objects on display.Eora means 'first people' in the language of the Darug, the traditional inhabitants of the land on which the museum now stands.

There are over 250 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or nations in Australia. One common thread they share is a strong connection to the land and to the sea. This exhibition takes us on a journey from Tasmania to far Northern Queensland and the Torres Strait, exploring the way in which the sea and waterways are intrinsically linked to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture.

Eora - First People features delicate shell work from Tasmania, elaborately carved and painted Pukumani burial poles of the Tiwi Islands, ceremonial sculptures and hand-woven works from Arnhem Land and Cape York and the spectacular headdresses, body ornaments and dance machines of the Torres Strait.

Also, featured are a selection of works from Saltwater - Yirrkala Bark Paintings of Sea Country, a series of paintings explaining the spiritual and legal basis of the Yolngu's claim on the Saltwater Country of northeast Arnhem land.

These stories were painted to educated the outside world, to teach the Balander (stranger or white people) about the lore and law of the Yolngu people. The result is a body of works that form a comprehensive map of the Saltwater Country; a record of sacred lore based on an accumulated wisdom that spans thousands of lifetimes.