Launched on Thursday September 24th in the medical school precinct of the University of Tasmania, takara milaythina lutruwita nika paywuta -walked this country forever- is a 2.5 metres high, 22-metres long installation.
The mural explores the story of Palawa people in lutruwita (lutruwita is the Palawa word for Tasmania) and retraces how their ancestors lived on Country. It also examines the impact of colonisation to their health and traditions.
Covering a long corridor linking one building to another in the medical precinct of the University, the timeline installation comprises images and stories drawn from historical records, personal stories and insights.
In the sidelines of the launch NITV radio spoke with Palawa Woman Dr Maggie Walter, Distinguished Professor Pro Vice-Chancellor Aboriginal Research and Leadership.
Professor Walter explained that takara milaythina lutruwita nika paywuta is an initiative of an Aboriginal staffer of the University of Tasmania, Rosie Smith, whose ingenuity has turned a previously dull corridor into a historically and culturally significant permanent part of the University.
Aboriginal Timeline project manager Rosie Smith (left) with Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AC, Governor of Tasmania Source: Osborne Images
“It is about making our own Aboriginal students feel safer in the medical school and also bringing to the many other students a much deeper understanding of Tasmania’s history and present,” Professor Maggie Walter said.
The timeline also acknowledges the difficult history around the medical profession and their interaction with Palawa people. At the same time, the installation aims to build a new understanding and mutual respect of equality, safety and collaboration.
“Historically, the relationship between the medical profession and Tasmanian Palawa people has been very fraught and some of it shameful. The medical profession through colonial times, up until fairly recently, were heavily involved in the pillaging of our people's bodies for specimens,” Professor Maggie Walter said.
Professor Walter added that staff and management of the University of Tasmania are supportive of the project as evidenced by their overwhelming presence at the launch alongside members from Tasmania’s Aboriginal community and the Governor of Tasmania, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner AC.
“We are trying to embed a deeply highly visual intellectual Aboriginal scholarly presence within the University. I’d say that we are now the University of Tasmania-lutruwita,” Professor Maggie Walter added.
Also, as part of the launch an exhibition featuring historical and contemporary Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural objects and artefacts were displayed in the precinct’s main foyer and now form part of the University’s permanent collection.
