Naomi Appleby, a project coordination officer in the Future Acts and Heritage Unit at Nyamba Buru Yawuru in Broome, visited us for two weeks in November–December last year. Naomi is a Yawuru and Karajarri woman, and is an emerging curator with a keen interest in the history of Yawuru country in and around Broome. As well as experiencing life on the ANU campus, Ben Silverstein, Postdoctoral Researcher with the ARC Laureate Project, worked with Naomi to explore some of the important holdings held in collections around Canberra.
Naomi and Ben were lucky enough to work with outstanding curators, librarians, and other staff in collections who helped them to access some of the valuable materials that spoke to Yawuru history. They spent an afternoon watching films of Broome, another afternoon exploring the maps and oral history collections at the National Library, and had a couple of visits to AIATSIS to listen to historical recordings of Yawuru language and song. The experience of working collaboratively to research Yawuru history and heritage was memorable for all.
Naomi was also able to meet with staff across the university, including Anne Martin at the Tjabal Centre, researchers working with the ANU Grand Challenges Scheme on Indigenous Health and Wellbeing, and, of course, with staff and postgraduates at the School of History. The RDHP team was delighted to host her visit, and we look forward to future collaborations!