‘Keeping place’: Bangerang Cultural Centre an exploration in First Nations artwork

By Patrick Morrow

Oct 4, 2022

**First Nations art:** Proud Noongar woman Miranda Edwards says ‘the keeping place’ holds great significance to Traditional Owners. Photo by Holly Daniel

‘The keeping place', commonly known as Bangerang Cultural Centre, has been part of the Shepparton community for 40 years.

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It is where priceless First Nations art and artefacts from across Australia have been collected and displayed for all to see.

The centre boasts a wide-ranging selection of artwork and historical photographs, and dioramas by artist George Bowning, depicting the Bogong moth feast, life on the Murray River, the Mt William stone quarry and a corroboree.

**Before white settlement:** Artist George Bowning's diorama depicting the Mt William stone quarry. Photo by Holly Daniel

It is also includes historical photos from Lake Tyers Mission from 1863 to 1971, highlighting life on the mission and the now famous Lake Tyers treaty, which was the first act by the Victorian Parliament to recognise land rights for First Nations people in the state.

In the early 1970s, the cultural centre was launched as part of the international Rotary village of Shepparton, where Uncle John ‘Sandy' Atkinson, a Bangerang Elder, commissioned the centre.

The Bangerang Elder was a First Nations leader in Victoria and is described as an energetic force who continued his work to benefit all people in the Shepparton community.

**Handy:** Dilly bags, which were used by women to carry children and food. Photo by Holly Daniel

At the time, Uncle Sandy was on the board of the Shepparton Aboriginal Arts Council, where he began establishing Australia's first museum of First Nations art, informally known as ‘the keeping place’ in 1985.

**Living history:** A photo at the centre showing Traditional Owners and a shelter. Photo by Holly Daniel

Bangerang Cultural Centre chairperson and proud Noongar woman Miranda Edwards said Uncle Sandy wanted a place to display First Nations art and artefacts to all.

“He had this idea that he could build the centre and go around to Aboriginal communities all around Australia to collect different artwork," Ms Edwards said.

Celebration of culture: Bangerang Cultural Centre chairperson and proud Noongar woman Miranda Edwards says the centre houses a range of art from all across Australia. Photo by Holly Daniel

"There are significant pieces from the Northern Territory to South Australia to Tasmania. Every bit of Australia is housed here.”

The centrepiece of the museum is two mosaics titled Creation legend from a late Napranum woman, Thancoupie, from Weipa, far north Queensland. The mosaics depict a story of the philosophy, religion and mythology of the tribes of the Napranum people.

Mythology: A mosaic created by late Napranum woman Thancoupie, from Weipa, far north Queensland. Photo by Holly Daniel

On display: The second mosaic created by Napranum woman Thancoupie, describing more of the mythology of Napranum people. Photo by Holly Daniel

"Yes … it's quite awesome, and it's so significant, and it's such a treasure," Ms Edwards said.

Ms Edwards said the centre hosted educational programs for schools to teach about First Nations culture.

"We are open Monday to Friday, and we work with all the schools to come in here and get a bit of teaching about Aboriginal history,” she said.

Handmade: Bangerang Cultural Centre has school sessions hosted by Bangerang Elders, explaining what tools were used when hunting for food. Photo by Holly Daniel

"The men here do an artefact talk, and talk about all the different artefacts handed down and delivered in the art of surviving.

"And so just the history that's been handed down from their Elders, they're able to teach everyone about the significance of First Nations people.“

Ms Edwards said a collaboration with the Shepparton Art Museum, including exhibitions, could be on the cards.

"We'd love to. I think it's such a great opportunity with the new CEO coming on board and having her visit the centre,” she said.

Collaboration: Bangerang Cultural Centre chairperson and proud Noongar woman Miranda Edwards says the centre could potentially stage exhibitions with the Shepparton Art Museum. Photo by Holly Daniel

"We think what a great opportunity we’ve got, and they've got the upcoming national Indigenous ceramic awards, in which one of our main pieces is up for an award.

“So we're really excited to maybe, you know, be able to showcase that piece or some sort of partnership — so looking forward to what that looks like.”

Ms Edwards said a collaboration with SAM would draw more visitors to the centre.

“It is one of our goals of the board, and by having this we will get more tourism in, as we know that Shepparton is the place where it has a lot of tourism coming into it, and we want to be a part of that," she said.

The centre is located on 1 Evergreen Way, Shepparton. For more information, visit https://visitshepparton.com.au/see-and-do/arts-and-culture/!/view/bangerang-cultural-centre-1021