Take a deep dive into Noongar language and culture at Doontanboro Kura | Melville Waters Dreaming, an immersive exhibition that is the culmination of Place Names Melville, a two-year Noongar-led project exploring the meanings of ancient Noongar placenames found in the Melville area.

Doontanboro Kura | Melville Waters Dreaming exhibition

🗓️ Date: 4-27 October 2024
⏰ Time: 10am – 4pm, Wednesday to Sunday
📍 Location: Yagan Mia: Wireless Hill Museum, Telefunken Drive, Ardross WA 6153

Amplifying and celebrating Noongar language, the artworks in Doontanboro Kura have been created collaboratively by Noongar Elders, Traditional Owners and community members. 

At the centre of the exhibition is a large-scale, handmade map of the Melville area that features the locations of 17 Noongar placenames, layered with traditional Noongar iconography. Alongside handcrafted works, animations and soundscapes immerse the visitor in Noongar language, culture and stories.

A highlight will see Wireless Hill dramatically illuminated by a massive animated projection of the Noongar story of the creation of Wagoorjup, screened just four times during the exhibition season.

Place Names Melville was produced by CAN, Moodjar and the City of Melville, and funded by Lotterywest.

Doontanboro Kura Exhibition Launch

🗓️ Date: Friday 4 October 2024
⏰ Time: 6–8pm
📍 Location: Yagan Mia: Wireless Hill Museum, Telefunken Drive, Ardross WA 6153
🎟️️ Registration essential

Join Community Arts Network, City of Melville, Moodjar and Noongar community members at the launch of Doontanboro Kura | Melville Waters Dreaming, the culmination of the Place Names Melville project.

Experience various film and animation works projected dramatically onto the Wireless Hill building.

Hear the contributing artists talk about the meanings and stories embedded in the beautiful artworks, and the processes behind their creation.

Refreshments and food provided.

Fireside Friday: Yarning with Elders

🗓️️ Date: Friday 11 October 2024
⏰ Time: 6–8pm
📍 Location: Yagan Mia: Wireless Hill Museum, Telefunken Drive, Ardross WA 6153
🎟️️️ Registration essential

Sit around a fire with Elders and community members involved in Place Names Melville, to hear stories from this Noongar Boodjar. This intimate yarning session will also be one of just four opportunities to experience the projection of a largescale animation, telling the story of Wagoorjup’s creation by the Waugal (Rainbow Serpent).

Refreshments and food provided.

Mapping Boodja: Learn more about the ancient Noongar names in Melville.

🗓️ Date: Thursday 24 October 2024
⏰ Time: 6.45–8pm
📍 Location: Yagan Mia: Wireless Hill Museum, Telefunken Drive, Ardross WA 6153
🎟️️️ Registration essential

You’ll be taken on a guided tour of the large-scale map created during the project. Engaging with the map, you’ll take a deep dive into the meanings of ancient Noongar placenames and learn about the stories and traditions embedded in the Melville area.

Refreshments and food provided.

Doontanboro Kura Closing Celebration and Artist Talk

🗓️ Date: Saturday 26 October 2024
⏰ Time: 6–8pm
📍 Location: Yagan Mia: Wireless Hill Museum, Telefunken Drive, Ardross WA 6153
🎟️️️ Registration essential

Join artists Zali Morgan, Bruce Denny, Kamsani Bin Salleh (Kambarni) and Hugh Sando as they share their experiences of collaborating with community for this project. As the sun sets over Wireless Hill, celebrate the exhibition closing with a DJ session and dancing. The closing party will be your last opportunity to experience the projection of the Wagoorjup animation.

Refreshments and food provided.