News - Kimberley Foundation Australia

KFA funds four research projects

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -1000

The Kimberley Foundation has approved funding for four projects in the first quarter of 2012.

Extension to the existing Palaeolinguistic project led by Patrick McConvell with an increased emphasis on the flora and fauna representation in the rock art. The extension provides opportunities for Patrick’s work to be closely integrated into rock art recording in both the Change and Continuity and Lifeways projects.

Extension to the existing Palaeoecology project let by Simon Haberle to enable deeper coring from the Mitchell Plateau site. Simon is planning to use the Itrax high resolution analytical system at ANSTO on the new core to provide detailed geochemical information on the sediments.

Honours Scholarship has been awarded to Dean Fleming who will investigate the morphology of excavated ochre pieces. These will be compared to surface ochre finds and associated rock art assemblages in order to develop an understanding of past ochre curation and use. His dataset will comprise the ochres recovered from the ten excavations already completed on the Change and Continuity archaeological dig. It will also complement Jillian Huntley’s chemical characterisation of ochres and add another facet to the findings of the Change and Continuity project.

$5,000 to PhD candidate and Lifeways project researcher, Jane Fyfe to enable much more widespread recording and documentation of rock art in the Oscar and Napier ranges during the forthcoming two month field season.

A travel grant was awarded to scientist Jillian Huntley (UNE) (Messages in Paint) to attend the International Rock Art conference in Brazil, 2012.

ABC Radio Kimberley interview

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -1000

ABC Radio Kimberley interviews KFA directors Maria Myers and Sam Lovell, and CEO Cas Bennetto March 2012 - "Mystery of Kimberley rock art fascinates Foundation" http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/03/13/3452456.htm?site=kimberley

$1.5 million gift to UWA to establish the first Chair in Kimberley Rock Art

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -1000

The Kimberley Foundation Australia (KFA) a not for profit organisation driving Kimberley research for more than a decade, has donated $1.5 million to University of Western Australia’s Centre for Rock Art Studies (CRAS) to establish a Chair in Kimberley rock art.

The Kimberley Foundation Ian Potter Chair in Rock Art will support long term research into the nature and context of the Kimberley’s ancient treasures. Researchers, working in partnership with traditional custodians, will study and record rock art and will educate students and the broader community about the value of the Kimberley’s rich cultural heritage.

The Ian Potter Foundation, a long-term supporter of KFA’s research has contributed to the Chair project.

UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Johnson said the Kimberley Foundation Ian Potter Chair in Rock Art – in UWA’s Centre for Rock Art Studies – would significantly advance the global knowledge and recognition of the rock art.

“We have priceless Indigenous rock art in Western Australia and leading researchers in the field at our University,” he said. “The research to be conducted with this funding will enhance our knowledge of Kimberley Rock Art and provide a legacy that will be appreciated around the world.”

“The establishment of a Chair in Kimberley Rock Art is a remarkable achievement for KFA and a tremendous opportunity to expand studies in palaeoecology, palynology, archaeology, paleolinguistics and geochronology of the Kimberley region,” said KFA Chairman Maria Myers.

“Researching the Kimberley to increase our knowledge of the earliest Australian people, their art and cultures and their relationship with a changing environment is critical to understanding the rock art and its national and international significance,” she said.

CEO of the Kimberley Foundation, Cas Bennetto, said KFA will continue to raise funds for its research program, notably studies in dating the rock art and a mapping and recording rock art project involving local aboriginal communities.

“We will continue to build capacity in Kimberley research through collaborations with tertiary institutions and indigenous communities. We look forward to working jointly with CRAS and continuing to advocate the heritage value of Kimberley rock art and the importance of the associated research questions at state, national and international levels.”

December 2011 Newsletter

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:00:00 -1000

Read all about our latest news and achievements in this month's newsletter ... click here