By ANTHONY PROBERT
ARTEFACTS from the landmark Yurlman: Mokare Mia Boodja exhibition were packed up for the long journey back to Britain this week.
The exhibition has been hailed a success with around 23,000 visitors viewing the display of 14 rare artefacts that includes stone axes, spears, spear throwers and knives, which date back to the 1830s.
Lissant Bolton from the British Museum was in Albany to oversee the process of re-packaging and took part in a formal ceremony at the WA Museum of the Great Southern to recognise the departure of objects.
While there were hopes the collection might remain on Country, she said all the parties involved in bringing the display to Albany acknowledged that they were on loan.
Ms Bolton said the British Museum was thrilled with the response from the community and the success of the collaboration.
“We’re pleased to have lent them.
“They’re (the British Museum) absolutely delighted in London,” she said. Ms Bolton said the museum had a history of working with communities to share information and the success of the collaboration strengthened the case for similar projects in future.
The exhibition provided the opportunity for Albany’s Shona Coyne and Lindsay Dean to fulfil the roles of emerging curators where they gained invaluable experience including training at the National Museum in Canberra.
Ms Coyne said while she was grateful for the opportunities that arose from the exhibition, it was the benefit for the community that was most satisfying.
“When you see a few of the local toolmakers come in and compare their work, it really emphasises the craftsmanship and how important the artefacts are,” she said.
“They’re learning from them, so there’s that continual sharing of culture which is beautiful to see.”
Ms Coyne said she had mixed emotions about the artefacts returning to Britain.
“I thought I’d be upset to see them go. They’re not just objects,” she said. “When they come back onto country we feel something for them.
“But the exhibition has put Albany on the map. It has put the Menang people on the map and stirred something really good down here.
“If they go forward and continue to share our story, not just Menang people, but everybody’s shared history, then I’m OK with that.”
Ms Coyne said the challenge was now to keep the story of the artefacts and the Menang people alive and build on the success of the exhibition.
The ceremony at the WA Museum of the Great Southern last Friday featured a moving address from Noongar Elder Avril Dean, as well as Ms Bolton, Ms Coyne and Mr Dean.
The Tidswell Twins and The Deadly Brother Boys also gave stirring performances to mark the significance of the event.
The artefacts will be carried to Britain by a courier for a specialist art handling company, with a member of the British Museum travelling with them for the entire journey.