Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News
Gunaikurnai artist Alfred Hudson 'Mother's Night Sky' artwork adorns stargazing signage across Gippsland
A project led by a Gunaikurnai artist brings cultural stories to life through stargazing signage across 13 Gippsland locations. Supported by funding, it aims to enhance understanding and appreciation of Indigenous connection to the night sky.
A Gunaikurnai artist from East Gippsland is helping all Australians understand the connection between life and the night sky through cultural stories, thanks to a new stargazing project. Artwork by local Gunaikurnai Monero artist Alfred Hudson features on signage across 13 Gippsland locations ideal for stargazing.
Mother's Night Sky (2022) by Alfred Hudson
Cultural narrative displayed
The signage includes Alfred's 'Mother's Night Sky' artwork from 2022 which illustrates how stars represent the seasons, time for hunting, eating and moving across Country in Gunaikurnai culture. 'Mother's Night Sky' also features an emu, which represents the cultural story of a boy stuck in a river and was saved by an emu who sacrificed himself and became the Southern Cross.
For Alfred, the Southern Cross in the night sky reminds him of his mother who, like the emu, represents a mother's sacrifice and love. The artwork also features several Bogong moth decorations which were seasonal food for Gunaikurnai people, and an owl hidden in the artwork to represent the wisdom of the Elders.
Stargazing across Gippsland
Stargazing signage can be found in various places across Gippsland which are ideal places to view the Milky Way. In Gunaikurnai culture, the Milky Way represents the rich river systems across Country:
- Mallacoota
- Nowa Nowa
- Orbost
- Cann River
- Point Hicks
- Cape Conran
- Marlo
- Buchan
- Bruthen
- Omeo
- Lake Tyers
- Dargo
- Loch Sport
Two mobile observatories including telescopes, binoculars and torches are also available for special public stargazing events. They also open up opportunities for more astronomy events in Gippsland. The initiative is supported by $267,000 from the Local Economy Recovery program and Destination Gippsland. For visitors keen to learn more and find the best spots across Gippsland, you can plan your trip via Stargazing Gippsland website.
Pictures from Regional Development Victoria website.
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Melina Bath slams Labor for underfunding fire preparedness and using treasurers advances to dodge scrutiny
Thirty-six new Australians welcomed in Bairnsdale ceremony celebrating East Gippsland's growing cultural diversity and community
Understanding groundwater and managing a vital resource wisely during dry conditions in Southern Victoria
Baw Baw Shire Council meeting snapshot held on Wednesday 11 June 2025
Gippsland V/Line passengers short-changed as government refuses full bus replacement to Southern Cross Station
Unlit East Gippsland intersections spark safety fears as locals demand action on incomplete road upgrades
Lakes Entrance, Paynesville, and Marlo announced as finalists in the Top Tourism Town Awards cast your votes by 27 June 2025
Latrobe City Council recognised by Local Government Professionals (LGPro) for disaster readiness and recovery
Tim Bull calls for Benambra to be included in top-level drought support amid ongoing hardship
