Canberra Friends of Ireland Society would like to extend an invitation to all our members of FoI and their guests to attend our NAIDOC celebration. This is to be held on Sunday, 3rd July, 2-4pm at the GANDEL ROOM, National Gallery of Australia, Parkes Place, Parkes, ACT 2600.
Our NAIDOC address will be presented by Dr Brenda Croft, Professor of Indigenous Art History and Curatorship, Centre for Art History and Art Theory, ANU School of Art and Design, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences.
Professor Croft has been appointed Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser Chair of Australian Studies, Harvard University for 2023-2024.
Dr Brenda Croft is from the Gurindji/ Malngin/Mudburra peoples of the Northern Territory and she also has Chinese and European heritage, including Irish heritage on both the maternal and paternal sides of her family. While most of her research and art work has concentrated on her First Nations heritage, she has recently investigated the story of her Irish paternal grandfather and her Indigenous grandmother.
Mr Paul House will provide the Welcome to Country. Paul is a Ngambri-Ngunnawal custodian with multiple local aboriginal ancestries from the Canberra region. Mr House began his public service career in the Commonwealth Dept of Aboriginal affairs and has since occupied various positions across NSW and Commonwealth public service sectors agencies.
Musicians of various instruments will be performing along with the Irish harp and the didgeridoo. Please come along and enjoy this significant occasion in the Gandel Hall. We celebrate the significance of the Irish and Australian First Nations relationships and our common understandings.
Disabled parking and general paid parking is available in the NGA underground carpark accessible from Parkes Place East.(See attached map.)The entrance is down a ramp. As you turn off King Edward Terrace into Parkes Place the entrance is immediately on your right. To enter the carpark, take a ticket and the boom gate will automatically lift. The Gallery’s underground carpark has eight spaces reserved for visitors with disability. They are located close to lift access, which will take you to the main entrance of the Gallery. The disabled parking places are free.
There is free parking in the outdoors NGA carpark on weekends at the east side of the gallery off Bowen Drive, including four spaces for people with disability. Access to the Gallery main entrance from this car park is via the Australian Gardens and a ramp. The distance to the Gallery’s entrance is approximately 80m and the route is not protected from the weather.
Parking will be free at the John Gorton Building opposite the gallery and there are plenty of carpark spaces there on a Sunday. Drop offs can be made in Parkes Place near the NGA outdoor cafe.
The Questacon carpark has free parking on Sundays also.
Entrance to NGA is now done by ticketing(free) and we can do this for you as a group when we know how many people will be attending, so you will not have to go online and book a free entry. The greeter from the NGA front foyer will be aware of our larger group entering the gallery during the afternoon so you will not need to queue.
The 4th National Indigenous Triennial (Audio and digital tours- tours.nga.gov.au/ceremony) is exhibiting at present in the Exhibition Gallery on Level 1 and viewing before or after the event is recommended. Also on Level 1 is also the wonderful collection of The National Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander Art and Western Desert Art.
Tea and coffee will be available in The Gandel Room at our event. The cafe is presently closed for renovation at the NGA, but the outdoor cafe is operating near the front entry.
Wheelchairs, motorised scooters, wheelie walkers and walking sticks can be hired for free from the Concierge desk. To book these in advance call NGA 62406411 or email information@nga.gov.au
Wearing a mask is voluntary for the safety of yourself and others.
Photos or videos may be taken at this event. If anyone has any concerns please raise it with us before the event.
Please RSVP by Friday 24th June to Janice Flaherty.
Secretary, Friends of Ireland Committee
