About the Project

Lern about the aims of the Derbal Nara project, partners, key researchers and contributors.

Project aims

The aims of the project are to:

  • Present Aboriginal values and knowledge about living on the coast, or Wardan Gepa Boodjaralup, to the wider community 
  • Highlight Aboriginal principles of sustainability and understandings of the history and uses of the coast 
  • Provide an Aboriginal contribution to local and regional coastal planning and strategic development
  • Build capacity to link the local Nyungar dreamtime narratives with new approaches to research, education and training in order to support joint coastal management.

Project partners

Partners for this project are:

  • Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute conducted the research
  • Centre for Aboriginal Studies provided additional input
  • City of Cockburn and the City of Cockburn's Aboriginal Reference Group helped steer the project

Project funding

Coastwest funded the project. ‘Coastwest - Helping communities to care for the Western Australian coast. Coastwest is a State Government initiative aimed at providing opportunities for Western Australians to learn about, conserve and protect our coast.’

Key researchers

Professor Len Collard

Professor Len Collard, ARC Research Fellow Indigenous, School of Indigenous Studies (University of Western Australia) is a Whadjuk/Balardong Nyungar and traditional owner of the Perth region and surrounding districts whose ground-breaking theoretical work has put Nyungar cultural research on the local, national and international stage. He has a background in literature and communications and his research interests are in the area of Aboriginal studies, including Nyungar interpretive histories and Nyungar theoretical and practical research models.

Associate Professor Laura Stocker

Associate Professor Laura Stocker teaches and researches at the Curtin University Sustainability Policy Institute. She is also Deputy Leader of the CSIRO funded Coastal Collaboration Cluster. A marine ecologist by training, Laura established Australia’s first course in sustainability in 1989, focusing on the interaction among social, economic, cultural and ecological fields. Her research projects relate to: coastal adaptation to climate change; enhancing the knowledge-governance dialogue for coastal management; participatory sustainability mapping using Google Earth; the role of art in sense of place and sustainability; and Indigenous coastal sustainability.

Angela Rooney

Angela Rooney is a Research Associate at Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute. Her research explores Nyungar language through the investigation of themes of revolving around placename meanings, mapping and connection to country. Born in the Southwest of Western Australia, she experienced an adventurous outdoor childhood roaming around the local area of Pibelmen. Since that time, she has built a professional work career spaning the UK, France and Singapore. A cartographer by training, she also has a Bachelor of Commerce and Graduate Diploma in Sustainability Studies.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thanks:

  • Gary Burke for all his help and input to this project.
  • The respondents: Trevor Walley, Karen Jacobs, and Noel 'Kyar' Morrison.
  • The artists: Jenny Dawson, Marilyn 'Bindaarn' Garlett, Sandra Hill, Noel 'Kyar' Morrison, Christopher Pease, Shane Pickett (late) and Lenard 'Yoorn' Thorne.
  • Local governments: City of Cockburn, City of Fremantle, City of Rockingham, Town of Kwinana.
  • Critical friends: Clint Bracknell, Neville Green, Dave Palmer.

Contact

Address

City of Cockburn
Whadjuk Boodjar
9 Coleville Crescent,
Spearwood 6163

PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake DC,
Western Australia, 6965

Office opening hours:
8.30am to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

Language Support

Fire Danger Rating

Social Media

Cockburn Nyungar moort Beeliar boodja-k kaadadjiny. Koora, yeyi, benang baalap nidja boodja-k kaaradjiny.
Ngalak kaditj boodjar kep wer kaadidjiny kalyakool yoodaniny, wer koora wer yeyi ngalak Birdiya koota-djinanginy.

The City of Cockburn acknowledges the Nyungar people of Beeliar Boodjar. Long ago, now and in the future they care for Country.
We acknowledge a continuing connection to Land, Waters and Culture and pay our respects to Elders, past and present.