Hawkesbury City Council

04/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/29/2024 00:24

Rare and Fascinating Treat at Hawkesbury Regional Museum

Come along to the Hawkesbury Regional Museum in Windsor for a behind-the-scenes perspective from Oonagh Sherrard, composer and producer of the 11 Stories from the River Dyarubbin audio walks on Sunday, 5 May from 10:30am to 12:30pm.

Hear the inspiration behind Sherrard's remarkable soundscapes and how she developed relationships by listening to local knowledge holders, key locations, specialists, and the community.

Following the talk, museum guests are invited to join in a walk from the Museum along the river to Howe and Deerubbin Parks, guided by the audio walk. Please note that the walk is 1.7km round trip and is accessible for all ages and abilities. Light refreshments will be provided.

As participants navigate the accessible pathway, listening to the stories, they will become immersed in a journey through time, before returning to the museum for some light refreshments and a Q+A with Oonagh Sherrard.

The audio walk forms part of the 11 Stories from the River Dyarubbin exhibition that recently opened at the Museum. a public work formed by over 80 contributions from the wider Hawkesbury area including Dharug educators, long-time residents, historians, scientists, descendants from early settlers, and school and university students. Audiences will hear stories of the river's formation, Aboriginal culture, colonial settlers, and memories of historic floods, farming, boats, recreation, and ecology, from deep time to the present.

Located along the banks of Dyarubbin between Yarramundi and Sackville, the 11 audio walks feature the river's history and focus on environmental concerns and aspects of ecology, geography, and geomorphology. The audio experience is carried by an original score of music, featuring contemporary Dharug singers and voices, inspired by the stories of the river.

Please bring your smartphone or other electronic device and headphones. A hat and sunscreen, and water bottle are recommended - drinking fountains are available along the walk to refill water bottles.

When:Sunday, 5 May from 10:30am to 12:30pm

Cost: $5 with bookings essential via Eventbrite https://hawkesburymuseum.eventbrite.com

Where: Hawkesbury Regional Museum, 8 Baker Street, Windsor.

Museum website: www.hawkesbury.nsw.gov.au/museum

Phone: 4560 4655

Project acknowledgements: A collaborative public artwork led by composer/producer Oonagh Sherrard with Hawkesbury Regional Museum, Dharug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation, Western Sydney University Sustainable Futures, Hawkesbury Historical Society, and support from the NSW Government through Create NSW, Museums and Galleries NSW and the Australia Council for the Arts, the Australian Governments Arts funding and advisory body.

Acknowledgement

11 Stories from the River Dyarubbin acknowledges the Dharug and Darkinjung peoples as the Traditional Custodians of Country on which the project has its home and recognises their continuing connection to Country, Culture and Community.