N E W S L E T T E R D A T E V O L U M E 1 , I S S U E 1

International collaboration and

cutting edge technology have

helped reveal fascinating de-

tails of some of the Northern

Territory‟s most significant

rock art galleries in Arnhem

Land, according to archaeolo-

gist Robert “Ben” Gunn.

Robert is the recipient of the 2009

George Chaloupka Research Fel-

lowship, an initiative of the Museum

and Art Gallery of the Northern

Territory (MAGNT) Board and the

MAGNT Foundation.

The fellowship promotes and sup-

ports published research and con-

servation of Aboriginal rock art

located in Arnhem Land. Energy

Resources of Australia (ERA) pro-

vided $75,000 over three years to

support the first 3

years of the fel-

lowship.

MAGNT Founda-

tion President

Emeritus Professor Helen Garnett

said the foundation was excited

about the results achieved from the

first year of the fellowship. ―It is very

important to continue the pioneering

work of George Chaloupka and ex-

pand our knowledge about the rich

galleries of rock art found across

Arnhem Land,‖ Ms Garnett said.

With fellowship support Robert

studied the extraordinary Nawarla

Gabarnmung Aboriginal art site in

the centre of the Arnhem Land pla-

teau. He presented a summary of his

research at a lecture at the MAGNT

Theatrette on Wednesday, 30 June,

Robert said Nawarla Gabarnmung

was a spectacular natural stone ca-

thedral used by Indigenous groups

for thousands of years.

―The site features an incredible col-

lection of ochre paintings which swirl

across the rock ceiling, depicting

dreaming figures, sorcerers, dancing

spirits, people and animals,‖ Robert

said.

“You look up, and you just

go „wow‟ - it‟s like the

Sistine Chapel only

painted by many artists

over many decades rather

than a single

Michelangelo.”

During his research at the site

Robert collaborated with the Ja-

woyn Traditional Owners, an ar-

chaeological team from Monash

University in Victoria, and interna-

tional cave painting expert Jean-

Michelle Geneste, curator of the

world famous Lascaux Caves in

France.

Robert‘s work involved the use of sophisticated computer programs designed to unravel complex layers of separate images painted over many centuries.

Cont P 2

(Right) Marilyn Pinkerton

and Rex Wild

P A G E 2

Carbon dating techniques deter-mined the age of beeswax motifs used in some of the images, pin-pointing the age of paintings beneath the wax at more than 400 years.

Robert said archaeological excava-tions of the floor carried out by the Monash researchers indicated the site has been used by humans for more than 12,000 years.

ERA Chief Executive Rob Atkinson said working with local communities to protect and preserve cultural heritage sites was an important part of ERA‘s day to day work.

―We are proud to support the George Chaloupka fellowship, and we appreciate the great contribution that Robert has made to the identifi-cation, documentation, and interpre-tation of Aboriginal rock art in the Northern Territory.‖ About Robert “Ben” Gunn Robert Gunn has worked as an ar-chaeologist for the past 30 years, has recorded rock art in many areas of Australia and has published his findings extensively. He is a founding member of the Australian Rock Art Research Association.

(Below) Austin Ashe, John

Anictomatis, Dominic

Fracaro, Deborah

Fracaro, Jeff Pinkerton

(Right) Prof Helen Garnett

and Natascha Spark

(Right) John “Foxy”

Robinson and Hans Voss

THANK YOU—Darryl

and Heather Smalley

New and valued bene-

factors

A recent and very significant do-

nation from Darryl and Heather

Smalley is acknowledged and

greatly appreciated.

TREASURERS

COMMENTS

We previously outlined our financial

goals for this year the chief of which

was establishing an endowment fund

from which income could be derived

for future support activities. The

goal for the year ended June 2010

was $100,000 and this goal has been

exceeded. Our endowment fund

now stands at $120,000 plus accrued

interest. In addition we have also

received specific donations of

$11,850.00.

Ken Suter—Treasurer

Con’t

In April the ‗Foundation

held a cocktail party to ex-

press its thanks to all those

who have contributed to

the development of the

MAGNT through the Foun-

dation and to unveil the

new Foundation Honour

Board.

Foundation President Em.

Prof Helen Garnett spoke

of the benefits of being a

Foundation member, such

as invitations to exhibition

openings at MAGNT and

increasingly to special inter-

pretive tours and talks. A

wonderful interpretive gal-

lery tour was conducted –

on the night with Emeritus

Curator Margie West.

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extended until late January 2011 Supercrocodilians: Darwin‘s ultimate survivor story

18 February 2010 – July 2012 It Wasn‟t All Chop Picnics NorthernTerritory Archives Service display Lyons Cottage

8 April – 15 August 2010 Lifting the Veil (Stuart expedition; 150th anniversary) – exhibition at the Museum of

Central Australia.

13 August –7 November 2010 27th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award

19 August – 5 September 2010 Behind the Wire— annual Corrective Services exhibition at Fannie Bay Gaol

opens 4 December 2010 to 13 March 2011

Wildlife of Gondwana— Proposed launch will be an after hours event

for 6 – 12 year olds from a cross section of schools

11am 14,16,18,20 August— 27th Telstra NATSIAA Curator talks

20—23 August After Hours at the Dinosaurs Museum performances for children

27 September—1 October The Big Draw — Design-a-saur Family Activities during school holidays

October 2010—March 2011 Little Explorers — Dinosaurs, Scales and Claws Weekly wet season event for fami-

lies with young children

11am 30 October 27th Telstra NATSIAA Artist (peoples choice winner)

December/January School Holidays

(excluding 20/12/2010 — 4/1/2011)

Wildlife of Gondwana December / January School Holidays

family floor talks and tours (excl. 20/12/2010 – 4/1/2011)

December TBC After Dark — torch light tour

11 August Annual Fundraising Dinner

28th October AGM (short)& End of Year Function - Including interpretive viewing of the NATSIAA Exhibition

13th August 27th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday all year round Cyclone Tracy Talk

Monday, Tuesday all year round Sweetheart Talk

Wednesday Dry Season Only Indigenous Art Gallery Talk

Tuesday Afternoon, Dry Season Only Maritime Gallery

- depending on availability

The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Terri-

tory [MAGNT] is an iconic institution. It draws Terri-

torians and visitors of all ages; it has the potential to be

one of the great cultural and educational institutions of

Australia.

The Northern Territory is the only place in the world where there is a continuing tradition of art from rock art to bark painting to etchings and artistic expression in contemporary media by its people: it is the only place where this is accompanied by continuous practice of language and culture and an understanding of the local flora and fauna. Archaeologists, art historians, anthropologists from around the world come in and out of the NT and acknowledge this fact

The MAGNT has the potential to become globally recognized for its collections and resources in these fields. George Chaloupka champi-oned the understanding of the rock art in the top end. Colin Jack Hinton had the foresight to collect the early barks, which were the critical transition from rock to a portable medium.

The MAGNT Foundation has established the George Chaloupka Fel-lowship to continue George‘s work and build our knowledge about the

rich heritage of rock art in the NT. We are currently raising funds to restore the historically important Colin Jack Hinton collection of early barks damaged when Cyclone Tracy ravaged the ‗old town hall‘, then used as the museum. Once restored they can form the basis of world class exhibits.

We invite you to support our efforts to make the MAGNT the global leader in these fields and thereby enhance its capacity to attract visi-tors to the NT and foster education in these important areas.

Please get a table together and come to our

dinner on August 11th at the Darwin Conven-

tion Centre. (email magntrsvp@bigpond.com)

Hear our guest speaker, share thoughts on ‗What the MAGNT means to me‘

learn of the key outcomes from the work of the 2009/2010 George Chaloupka Fellow and

share in the excitement as the 2010/2011 George Chaloupka Fellow and their plans are announced.

DO YOU HAVE AN ASSOCIATION WITH ANOTHER ORGANISATION? Perhaps, through it, you might consider supporting your

Museum and Art Gallery to become a national icon?

CONTACT - MAGNTF:

magntfrsvp@bigpond.com

As a member of the MAGNT Foun-dation, your membership card, together with proof of identity, gives you:

‘concessional’ entry to exhibi-tions at major capital city art galleries and museums in Aus-tralia

10% discount at many mu-seum and art gallery shops around Australia, including the MAGNT bookshop

international benefits - Whilst each Gallery/Museum has a different policy on providing benefits to visitors, presenting your MAGNT Foundation membership card and a letter of introduction, which needs to be requested, could give you special privileges

CORPORATE Membership Application Form –

Office Use Only

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scription fee as determined by the Directors from

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tion and to further the objects of the Foundation.

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herewith please find our cheque to the value of

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BSB: 015 - 901 Account : 2730 32366

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OR, for a family of two at same address:

Two Ordinary Members @ $100 (incl. GST)

I understand that membership of the Foundation

is subject to the payment of an annual subscrip-

tion fee as determined by the Directors from time

to time. I/we agree to meet subscription obliga-

tions, to comply with the rules of the Foundation

and to further the objects of the Foundation in

any way I can. Herewith please find my/our

cheque/cash to the value of $.............................

OR

I confirm that I have transferred $............................

to the Foundation Account,

BSB: 015 - 901 Account : 2730 32366

Name: Museums and Art Galleries of The Northern

Territory Foundation Limited Working Account

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Application Forms should be lodged in the box at the reception of the MAGNT, Bullocky Point OR

posted to Secretary, Museums and Art Galleries Foundation, PO Box 80, Parap, NT, 0804

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Welcome valued

NEW MEMBERS:

Trevor Dalton Penni Tastula Barbara Vos Simone Atkinson Rob Atkinson Colin Laverty Annie McCall Scott McCall Darryl Smalley Heather Smalley