Rear Window
Paul Little and Jane Hansen open State Library’s Indigenous Gallery
Myriam RobinRear Window editorDuring his life, William Barak, the last traditional Ngurungaeta (or head man) of the Yarra Yarra tribe, got a fraction of the consideration and respect he deserved from Melbourne’s movers and shakers.
So, you could say the city is finally trying to make up for it.
Some 120 years after his death, the face of Barak – who worked tirelessly to save his people and their culture – adorns the facade of one of the city’s major cultural institutions.
Jane Hansen and Paul Little, alongside State Library of Victoria CEO Paul Duldig and president Christine Christian.
It was put there by the donations of some of its most powerful citizens and the efforts of Victoria’s Indigenous community, many of whom are descended from his sister, Annie Borate.
Berek, which is closer to the pronunciation of Barak’s actual name, is the inaugural exhibition of the State Library of Victoria’s Indigenous Gallery, newly established with a $1.25 million donation from University of Melbourne chancellor Jane Hansen and her husband (and ex-Toll Holdings boss) Paul Little.
It’s their second major donation, considering their earlier $3.5 million contribution to the library’s Vision 2020 redevelopment, which has helped the library become the third most-visited in the world.
Hansen and Little attended a gala function to commemorate its opening on Tuesday night, alongside many of the library’s other donors.
At the heart of the exhibition is a corroboree painting and several artefacts crafted by Barak, which were purchased via Sotheby’s from overseas using proceeds of an arduous crowdfunding campaign, augmented by funds from the Victorian government.
The artwork Corroboree (women in possum skin cloaks) and its creator, William Barak.
The event was headlined by businesswoman (and State Library president) Christine Christian and introduced by Citi investment banker (and chairman of the State Library’s Foundation Board) Alex Cartel, while the state government was represented by former health minister Martin Foley.
Others to turn out included prominent philanthropist Krystyna Campbell-Pretty, former broadcaster and politician Maxine McKew, antiquarian and former Victorian County Court judge Graham Anderson, as well as art dealers Kalli Rolfe, Gary Singer and Geoffrey Smith.
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