Yaamanga: around here is an exhibition that explores the distinct character of the Coffs Coast through the historical interaction of people and place. It will be installed for between 7 and 10 years, with elements that can be changed or updated periodically.
Located in Gumbaynggirr Country, where the mountains of the Great Dividing Range meet the Pacific Ocean and the warm waters of the East Australian Current meet cooler waters from the south at the Solitary Islands, the region’s environment is critical to its history, development and identity. Gumbaynggirr culture is at the heart of the exhibition. A cinematic artwork created in collaboration with the Gumbaynggirr community will welcome visitors, orientate them on Country and immerse them in the deep culture and rich contemporary life of the six clan groups of the Gumbaynggirr nation.
Poet-priest Reverend Edward Hunt described Coffs Harbour in 1948 as “a town of pleasant scattered ways … a city that shall be”. Capturing the promise of a place on the cusp, his description remains apt for a region that continues to experience significant change and growth. The exhibition traces the changing patterns of life on the Coffs Coast - from sparse, settler communities seeking stable industries in the late 19th century through the spectacular population burst of the late 20th century “sea change” to the diversification of communities with the arrival of migrants and refugees in the 21st. The gains and losses that come with change are threads running through the exhibition in stories such as the rise and fall of coastal shipping, the transformation of the harbour from an industrial to recreational site, shifts in work and industries, the growth of tourism and mounting environmental consciousness.
The exhibition uses historical objects and contemporary artworks from the museum and gallery collections, along with digital multimedia elements to present a rich and engaging experience of Coffs’ history. Its tone will be approachable, informal and welcoming to people of all ages and backgrounds. Our unique local stories will be a revelation: surprising, thought-provoking, playful and inspiring in turn.
There are five core areas in the exhibition:
Daalga Nginundi Wajaarr Sing Your Country - cinematic artwork by ZAKPAGE
People and Place - interactive touch table
Harbour, Headlands and Hinterland - a thematic approach to Coffs' history
Moments in Time - exploring key change points
Collection feature - an object-rich, mass display of collection items
