Galup
Galup is multi-artform project about the history of Lake Monger in Perth. The project includes a site-specific performance and a virtual reality work created by Noongar theatre-maker Ian Wilkes and artist/filmmaker Poppy van Oorde-Grainger with an oral history from Elder Doolann-Leisha Eatts about a massacre at the lake. Galup explores the transformative impact of truth-telling, examines the destructive nature of colonisation and brings people together for connection and healing.
Performance
The interactive on country walking performance brings to life largely unknown histories of this area. Step back in time to the 1830s with Noongar performer Ian Wilkes guiding you through real events from our collective past. You’re invited to join in and be part of the show as you learn about the many untold stories of Lake Monger. This intimate, truth-telling performance will resonate with you long after you leave.
Virtual Reality
The virtual reality (VR) work shines light on a story that’s been hidden for almost 200 years. The work is set at Lake Monger, an ancient wetland in the heart of suburban Perth, visited daily by hundreds of people that are unaware of its buried history. Galup VR Experience fuses virtual reality technology with oral history and storytelling to highlight the origins of ongoing injustices in Australia and to bring people together for connection and healing.
Social Impact
Goals
● Increase awareness of Galup / Lake Monger’s history and significance
● Increase understanding of how the violence of settler colonisation continues to impact Australia today
● Promote the transformative impact of truth-telling as a tool for healing and justice
● Embed history of Galup / Lake Monger in curriculum in local schools
● Advocate for a permanent legacy that tells the stories of Galup / Lake Monger e.g. a memorial, signage and officially restoring its Whadjuk Noongar name
● Encourage positive collaborations between First Nations people and other Australians by sharing the story of how this project was made
Messages
● Galup / Lake Monger is a culturally and historically significant site
● Australia’s settler colonial history continues to negatively impact the present
● Truthfully acknowledging violence in the past, enables a more just future
● Arts can create spaces where connection and healing can happen
● Building positive relationships between First Nations and other cultures takes time, respect and understanding
Get Involved
● Subscribe to receive updates about impact goals including restoring the lake’s Whadjuk Noongar name
● Ask about booking Galup VR Experience for your school, event or organisation
● See Galup VR Experience at City of Vincent library (individuals and families only)
● Hear Elders’ voices
● Look at massacre map
● Explore research
● Scroll through historical timeline
● Download study guide
● Read press articles
● Listen In Visible Ink panel at WA Museum Boola Bardip
● Watch online presentation on social media
● Follow us on social media
Ian Wilkes - Writer / Director / Performer / Narrator / Composer
Poppy van Oorde-Grainger - Writer / Director / Producer / DOP / Editor / Impact Producer
Doolann-Leisha Eatts - Oral History Custodian / Performer / Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant
Elizabeth Hayden - Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant
Lois May - Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant / Facilitator
Darryl Kickett - Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant
Ted Wilkes - Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant
Glenda Kickett - Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant / Performer
Calven Wilkes - Performer
Della Rae Morrison - Vocalist / Facilitator / Community Liaison
Nigel Wilkes - Vocalist
Samuel Yombich Pilot-Kickett - Facilitator / Assistant Stage Manager
Bec Garlett - Facilitator / Education Consultant
Maitland Schnaars - Dramaturg
Dr Clint Bracknell - Music Dramaturg
Ric Curtin - Sound Mix and Sound Recordist
Jemma King - Sound Recordist / Facilitator
Nick McKenzie - Sound Recordist
Kirby Brierty - Production Manager
Mitch Thomas - Stage Manager
Bec Allen - Impact Producer
Dr Chris Owen - Research Consultant
Alex Kelly - Impact Consultant
Performing Lines WA - Co-producer 2021 - Galup Performance
Viewport XR - Stereoscopic Filming and Post
Cue Sound - Sound Recordist and Ambisonic Mix
SPACED - Original Commissioner 2019 - Galup Performance
White Spark Pictures - VR Consultant and Additional Crew
Performance Credits
Ian Wilkes Writer / Performer
Poppy van Oorde-Grainger Writer / Director / Producer
Doolann Leisha Eatts Oral History Custodian / Performer / Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant
Ted Wilkes Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant
Darryl Kickett Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant
Elizabeth Hayden Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant
Maitland Schnaars Dramaturg
Clint Bracknell Music Dramaturg
Glenda Kickett Understudy Performer
Performing Lines WA - Rachael Whitworth, Jen Leys, Cecile Lucas Co-producer 2020-21
Kirby Brierty Production Manager
Mitchell Thomas Stage Manager
Samuel Yombich Pilot-Kickett Assistant Stage Manager
Dr Chris Owen Research Consultant
Della Rae Morrison Community Liaison
Partners
WA Museum Boola Bardip Presenting Partner - Galup VR
Viewport XR Project Partner - Galup VR
Museum of Freedom and Tolerance Project Partner - Galup VR
Community Arts Network Project Partner - Galup VR
City of Vincent Local History Centre Project Partner - Galup VR
Town of Cambridge Library Project Partner - Galup VR
Sandbox Productions Project Partner - Galup VR
VR Credits
Ian Wilkes Writer / Director / Performer / Narrator / Composer
Poppy van Oorde-Grainger Writer / Director / Producer / Director of Photography / Editor
Doolann-Leisha Eatts Oral History Custodian / Performer /Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant
Elizabeth Hayden Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant
Ted Wilkes Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant
Glenda Kickett Birdiya Noongar Cultural Consultant / Performer
Calven Wilkes Performer
Nigel Wilkes Vocalist
Della Rae Morrison Vocalist
Viewport XR - Andrey Tarasov, Ben Wade, Chad Hedland Stereoscopic Filming and Post
Birds Eye Media - Dean Chisholm Drone Operator
Lawrie Silvestrin Additional Editing
Curtin Productions - Ric Curtin Sound Mix / Sound Recordist
Nick McKenzie Sound Recordist
Jemma King Sound Recordist
Cue Sound - Nick Gallagher, Shaun Sandosham Ambisonic Mix / Sound Recordist
Kirby Brierty Production Manager
Gabi Fountain Graphic Design
Gene Eaton Graphic Design
White Spark Pictures - Briege Whitehead VR Consultant, Benn Ellard Additional Sound Recordist, Nik Coletsis Additional Camera Operator, Jess Black Additional Production Manager
Alex Kelly Impact Consultant
Funders
Australia Council for the Arts
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
Special Thanks
Walter Eatts, Samuel-Yombich Pilot-Kickett, Steph Reys, Perun Bonser, Michelle White, Paul Bourke, Hugh Hou, Lake Monger Recreation Club, Christine and Peter Hill, Town of Cambridge, White Spark Pictures, Pixelcase Group, Tim Baier, Josh Hogan, Katie Stubley, Ezra Jacobs-Smith, State Records Office of WA, Alison James, Elaine Smith, Andrei Petrut, Rachael Woodward, Jodie Passmore, Zoe Street, Martin Pujol, Jen Leys and Tim Muirhead.
Images above by Dan Grant commissioned by IAS, image below by Poppy van Oorde-Grainger
