ACHAA’s Museum of Sydney Conference Puts Culture at the Centre
17-12-2025
Culture was centre stage at the recent ACHAA Conference, held at the Museum of Sydney in November 2025, bringing together artists, policymakers and community advocates to reflect on the depth, diversity and future of Aboriginal cultural practice.
The ACHAA Network gathered from cultural centres, museums, galleries and Keeping Places across NSW, coming together to share, learn, and connect with cultural workers and practitioners from across the state.
Among the presentations was a Welcome to Country from Gadigal, Dharawal, Yuin, and Wiradjuri woman Nadeena Dixon, which was received by ACHAA’s Chair Wamba Wamba Perrepe Perrepe woman Aunty Jeanette Crew OAM. Nadeena is an adjunct Professor at the University of Technology Sydney, multidisciplinary artist and Master Weaver. Her presentation grounded participants in cultural protocol, ceremony and Country, and presenting on her recent work at the University, she framed culture as ceremony, tradition and protocols embedded in lived experience.
Keynotes continued with Peter White (Gamilaroi), Head of First Nations Cultural Engagement at Museums of History NSW, who spoke on culture through the lens of museum institutions, historically shaped by colonial legacies, and the ways Aboriginal voices and stories are increasingly shaping how histories are interpreted and shared.
Jonathan Captain-Webb (Gomeroi/Dunghutti), Director of Aboriginal Culture, Heritage & Land Strategy at Aboriginal Affairs NSW, presented on cultural knowledge standards, emphasising the need for respectful and community-verified approaches to cultural representation.
Gumbaynggirr man and Commissioner Aden Ridgeway of the NSW Treaty Commission brought a timely and relevant conversation about NSW Treaty in the wake of Victorian Treaty spoke about the intersections of culture and constitutional recognition in contemporary treaty conversations.
Closing out Day 1; art, storytelling and creative expression were vividly brought to life by Yuwaalaraay woman Nardi Simpson, acclaimed storyteller and performer in a session on “creative, interpretive, artistic” and the role of connections to people, cultural materials, Country, and spirituality in cultural practice.
Day 2 continued the meaningful programming, beginning with a presentation from Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council on their meaningful community work and cultural programming which had lead to the upcoming build and development of a brand new facility for their programming to take place.
The importance of place and Country was furthered emphasised by a combined session on “culture is … country, community, engagement” from Dr Raymond Kelly (Dhangatti/Gumbaynggirr), Chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council. His presentation outlined current policies and programs supporting Aboriginal land rights, giving the ACHAA network the opportunity to talk about the inextricable link between Country, culture and governance.
Steve Miller, ACHAA’s CEO then led a session on ACHAA’s upcoming projects, allowing for space for the ACHAA Network to speak on their priorities moving forward. ACHAA’s updates on strategy and contributions to the Closing the Gap agenda reaffirmed their commitment to amplifying Aboriginal voices, cultural infrastructure and sector sustainability.
Closing the event came a presentation by Milan Dhiiyaan from Millmullian (Laurance Magick Dennis), Ngemba/Wailwaan & Yuin senior cultural educator and songman. This presentation celebrated song, Country and cultural continuity, leaving attendees with a sense of what authentic cultural connection can do for mob, community, and our youth.
The two-day event showcased a wide spectrum of thought and content, while also embodying ACHAA’s guiding principle of “Living Centres for Living Culture,” where culture is actively practiced, shared and strengthened within community-led spaces.
