Launch: Saturday, 26 August 2023, 3pm - 4.30pm
Panel Discussions: Sunday 27 August 2023, 12noon - 1pm / 2pm to 3pm
Exhibition: Saturday 26 August and Sunday 27 August 2023, 11am - 5pm
Queenscliff Uniting Church 85 Hesse Street Queenscliff, VIC 3225 Australia
Ondru is excited to announce our two-day event, Voices Near and Far that will showcase visual and oral stories of refugees and First Nations People.
Over the course of the event, you will have the opportunity to view powerful photographic portraits from our projects, Voiceless Journeys and Dhum-Djirri Ngagu and take part in panel discussions with people whose stories feature in these projects.
Voiceless Journeys
One of ONDRU’s most significant bodies of work, this project conveys the silent stories of 101 refugees who, through conflict or necessity, left their countries to make a new life in Australia. The images found within the book were initially large-scale installations exhibited on the streets of Melbourne. These images brought the project to life and became the inspiration for the book. See video.
Dhum-Djirri Ngagu (Speak, Hear, Understand):
Recently completed, this book knits together strong photographic portraits and stories of connection to country, community and culture from interviews with First Nations people from the Whittlesea Shire. It positions the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders at the centre of the Australian narrative and provide a space for individuals and families to share unheard stories, encourage collective recognition and motivate dignified reconciliation. More info here.
The Panel Discussions
The panel discussions will be facilitated by Alison Marchant, the current MP for the Shire of Bellarine.
Voiceless Journeys Panel
Sengita Gonkarnue (Bock), Liberia
Bock was born in a town called Yah Butuo in Nimba County, Liberia. Due to the civil war, he was displaced during his childhood and grew up in neighboring countries separated from his parents. He had fled between Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Liberia during the various wars while squatting and working labouring jobs as a child. 16 years later, he was reunited with his mother and siblings in Australia on humanitarian asylum. While having no prior formal education, he is currently a final-year university student studying for a bachelor’s degree in Community Development at Victoria University. He has been supporting youth development projects in Liberia and hopes to contribute to his nation through better education for the less fortunate.
First Nations Panel
We are delighted that respected Wadawurrung elder, Aunty Mary Shuttleworth will share her story.
Wadawurrung People are the Traditional owners of Wadawurrung Country – the land, waters, seas and skies that encompass the area from the Great Dividing Range in the North to the Coast country in the south, from the Werribee River in the East, the start of the Great Ocean Road in the West. The Wadawurrung family have looked after and cared for this land and its waters for over a thousand generations and still do to this very day.
Our Past Work
Ondru projects’ have touched upon issues such as identity displacement, mental health, homelessness, autism, women’s rights and indigenous consciousness. Various art forms such as photography, theatre, dance, film, music, sculpture, poetry, and digital and public art installations have played a role in bringing these issues to light and as we continue to pursue our mission, we would love to share our work with you. Here’s what you need to know.
Exhibition
When: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 August, 2023
Time: 11 am – 5 pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Launch: Saturday, 26 August 2023, 3pm - 4.30pm
Where: Queenscliff Uniting Church, 85 Hesse St, Queenscliff, VIC 3225
Cost: Free entry for the exhibition, although donations are welcome.
Panel Discussions
Voiceless Journey Panel Discussion - $20 AUD at 12:00-13:00
First Nations Panel Discussion- $20 AUD at 14:00-15:00
Both Panels - 35 AUD
Door Tickets are also available
