First Nations Hub

Tess Allas is a Wiradjuri curator and has strong links to Tharawal country in Wollongong. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Creative Arts from the University of Wollongong and a Masters of Curation from the University of Sydney. For the past three decades Tess has curated many exhibitions of First Nations contemporary art in both Australia and Internationally for organisations including Wollongong Art Gallery, Carriageworks, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Sydney Opera House, Art Gallery of South Australia, Murray Art Museum Albury, Gorman Museum (University of California), the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection (University of Virginia). In 2021 Tess wrote the Museum of Sydney’s Indigenous Contemporary Art Acquisition Strategy. Tess firmly believes in the power of contemporary art in having the ability to correct history and uncover hidden truths.

In a previous life Dave Key followed his passion for music by performing in small bands and working as a music sales rep for BMG Music. Then other passions took over, and a love of people, history and the natural environment led Dave to teaching history and geography at a performing arts high school, wading through mangrove mud teaching students how to assess the health of estuaries in Homebush Bay and demonstrating responsible and sustainable fishing practices by teaching children how to fish in his capacity as Community Education Officer for NSW Fisheries. He joined our team (then Historic Houses Trust of NSW) in 2010, and as the visitor services coordinator for the Meroogal and Western Sydney Portfolio since 2012 Dave brings all of his experiences to sharing his passion for history, land and culture with audiences old and new.

Gulwanyang Moran is a proud Birrbay and Dhanggati woman of the Gathang language group and Manager of the First Nations Community Access to Archives team at MHNSW. Gulwanyang is a power-conscious and experienced leader with over 20 years’ experience in Cultural Capability education and praxis. A passionate advocate of cultures and languages, Gulwanyang brings a wealth of knowledge working on the ground in her own peoples’ language and cultural reclamation work. Truth-telling, rematriation, anti-colonialism and supporting First Nations archivists centres the work she does within the galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAM) sector. Through facilitating statewide language education and cultural programs, she maintains her understanding of the aspirations and needs of language revitalisation communities. Gulwanyang holds a Master of Indigenous Languages Education and informs national policy through the National Language Policy Partnership group as an independent community representative.

Photo © Marley Morgan Photography

Samantha Snedden is a Dunghutti and Wiradjuri woman who has grown up on Darug land. Connecting to culture and community has always been a passion, which has been passed down from her grandparents. These passions are what led Samantha to her current position as Producer, First Nations Programs with Sydney Living Museums and now Museums of History NSW. In her time here, she has produced a broad program of cultural events, festivals and talks, working with mob, artists and engaging community.

Beth Thornber was born in Corowa, a small town on the banks of the Milawa/Murray River in NSW. A First Nations curator, educator and artist of the Wiradjuri people, she is currently based in Sydney on Gadigal land. Her multidisciplinary practice uses colour and a visual alphabet of animal, plant and human motifs to question themes of impact: historical, environmental and human impact in so-called Australia. Her work considers existing structures cemented in everyday life and applies this lens to reimagine ideas of sacredness, boundaries, common ownership and shared responsibility.

As the new Project Assistant in the team, Beth brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will really lend itself to the truth-telling aspects of the First Nations Community Access to Archives project.

Alinta Trindall is a proud Thungutti and Gamilaroi woman and is the Access Advisor for the First Nations Community Access to Archives team. Alinta is an advocate for truth-telling and its interconnectedness with healing. In her previous work as a researcher, she was committed to decolonising research and found a passion for the translation of Indigenous knowledge through a two-way learning lens. She’s worked on several community-led research projects and has used Indigenous research methodologies to conduct research that would be used to advocate for community priorities. Alinta has previously worked with the archives of the Aborigines Protection Board and the Aborigines Welfare Board through the Family Records Service with Aboriginal Affairs NSW and developed a deep love and appreciation for historical records. Alinta hopes that providing community with access to archival material and historical records will revitalise culture, reclaim our languages, provide educational tools for truth-telling, and ultimately contribute to healing.

James Varga is a proud Wiradjuri and Gangalidda man and the new Administrative Assistant in the First Nations Community Access to Archives team. James has worked extensively in both the tertiary education and government sectors, delivering events and functions and supporting learning, with significant experience working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander targeted spaces. He hopes to use his experience and knowledge to influence positive outcomes for First Nations communities.

Hayden Walsh is a proud Aboriginal man from Sydney. For the past 10 years, he has worked across the education and not-for-profit sectors, along with many years in the arts and museum space. In this time, Hayden has been leading cultural engagement, producing community programs, and most recently, developing and now delivering the new First Nations Strategy across Museums of History NSW. Since the age of 19, Hayden has also founded and lead his own business, a social enterprise called ‘Think Successful’, which delivers high-quality personal development programs and workshops for young people across Australia.

Peter White is a Gamilaroi Murri from north-west NSW who has held a number of senior positions and advisory roles in major cultural institutions and government arts agencies. After completing an applied sciences degree in cultural heritage management, he intended to train for a National Parks and Wildlife Service position so that he could care for country and work to protect sites of Aboriginal significance, but his destiny changed during an excursion to the Australian Museum in Sydney. Peter has since worked with a number of museums on a broad range of projects and initiatives. He sees his role as navigating change and developing a new consciousness in management, staff and audiences to value Aboriginal culture and people, and their communities’ perspectives.