First Nations Workshops
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Celebrate the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth, and participate in activities exploring stories and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Join in creative cultural activities for all ages with artmaking and workshops for the whole family.
Shell Work Art with Jirribitti Dreaming
Join artists Emma Stewart & Ashweeni Mason as they share their creative practice and connection to shell working traditions in an introductory workshop, designed especially for young audiences. Learn about the stories that connect people to Country, place, and the waterways. Discover how cultural stories guide us in caring for the environment and inspire sustainable practices, as you create your own mermaid using shells and other fun crafts.
Monday 5 January, Monday 12 January 2026
11am – 1pm (2 hours)
Bookings open soon
Recommended for ages 4 – 12+ years
Tucker Tuesdays
Join Aunty Marie and the team from Koori Kulcha as they share native plants, herbs and spices in an engaging talk, demonstration and tasting experience. Learn about how these ingredients and flavours have been sourced and utilised for cooking, medicine and traditional practices over the years. Enjoy an interactive cooking demonstration and sample cuisine featuring these locally sourced bush tucker ingredients.
Tuesdays 13, 20, 27 January
FREE
No bookings required
For ages 5 – adult
Tools, Weapons and Watercraft – Workshop with Koori Kinnections
Join Koori Kinnections and artists from the museum’s Indigenous programs team for a family-friendly, hands-on workshop exploring traditional tools, weapons and watercraft through touch, storytelling and making.
Learn how these objects were used on Country and on the water, and the stories they carry, as you engage with tactile materials and guided demonstrations. Families will then create their own model Nawi from paperbark using traditional techniques and natural materials to take home.
Wednesdays 14, 21 January
FREE - Limited capacity
Bookings open soon
YAALA
Join us for a special performance by Yaala, a powerful musical duo dedicated to revitalising local language and celebrating the beauty of Country through song.
Featuring Tamika Townsend, a song woman from the South Coast who has been learning and sharing language through song since childhood, and Emma Stewart, a woman who has been practicing culture and learning from Elders since childhood. Yaala brings together deep cultural knowledge and heartfelt storytelling.
Through music, Yaala creates a meaningful performance that honours and celebrates connection, culture, and Country, supporting our languages to be spoken and sung again.
Friday 16 January 2026
Free - no bookings required
Bamal gallery book nook and drop-in workshops
Artist Brian Robinson often creates works inspired by the tropical marine environment surrounding Waiben (also known as Thursday Island). He also uses traditional mark making and patterns from his culture with references to history, faith and his favourite pop culture icons.
In these activities: Weaving Zagal and Paper Florilegium, you're invited to create a woven angel fish, or a multilayered paper flower inspired by Brian’s work.
Available daily 19 December – 1 February
FREE - no bookings needed
Suitable for all ages
