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
Committee for Gippsland hosts Morwell roundtable to discuss local opportunities in Gippsland's net zero transition
Darren Chester urges Gippslanders to shop locally this Christmas, supporting family-owned businesses to boost the regional economy
Labor's supermarket legislation fails families and farmers, prioritising bureaucracy over urgent cost-of-living crisis
Peri Urban Councils Victoria welcomes recommendation for state funding to support rapidly growing communities
South Gippsland wins 'Leadership in Climate Adaptation and Resilience' award at the Victorian Marine and Coastal Awards 2024
Baw Baw Shire advances $35M Culture and Connection Precinct with library, learning centre, and community spaces in Warragul
Darren Chester calls for new funding to advance the Traralgon bypass, Sale route, and safety upgrades
Darren Chester urges Gippslanders to take sun protection seriously as warmer weather arrives and skin cancer risks increase
Five groups and individuals awarded 2024 Lyrebird Awards for outstanding environmental conservation efforts in West Gippsland
