Barani: Sydney’s Aboriginal History

Barani is an Aboriginal word of the Sydney language. It means ‘yesterday’. ‘Sydney’ as a place name dates from the arrival of the first convicts in 1788. For Aboriginal people who have lived here for at least 40,000 years, that is only yesterday. The word barani (yesterday) reminds us that there has been a continued presence of Aboriginal people in Sydney.

Aboriginal people have always lived in this place we call Sydney. The original inhabitants of the Sydney city region are the Gadigal people. Despite the destructive impact of first contact, Gadigal culture survived. As the town of Sydney developed into a city, the Gadigal were joined by other Aboriginal people from elsewhere in NSW, to live, work and forge relationships within the urban Aboriginal community. Aboriginal people in our city have a devastating yet profound past (barani) and a diverse yet shared future (barrabugu). They’re ‘black, proud and deadly’.

The website Barani: Sydney’s Aboriginal History provides histories of people, places and events in the City of Sydney local government area that are associated with the histories of Sydney’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. It highlights Sydney’s Aboriginal journey: its places, its history and its people.

Barani celebrates a living culture in the heart of the city.

Self-guided historical walking tours
These walking tours are accessed via the Sydney Culture Walks app and highlight Aboriginal history, heritage & culture:
https://www.sydneyculturewalksapp.com/barani-redfern
https://www.sydneyculturewalksapp.com/barani-warrane

Conference and workshop venue

Conference workshops: Sunday 15 and Thursday 19 September 2019
Conference: Monday 16 to Wednesday 18 September 2019

International Convention Centre Sydney
14 Darling Drive, Sydney NSW, Australia | Link to website

Featuring a striking contemporary design, leading technology and multipurpose spaces, International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) is a beacon of innovation, learning and entertainment, connecting and celebrating leaders of invention, business, governance and the arts. In the heart of Sydney, ICC Sydney is located in the active precinct of Darling Harbour on Cockle Bay.

Welcome cocktail function

Tuesday 17 September 2019 (evening)

Ferris Wheel, Luna Park
Hop in a carriage and hold your breath as you float up to 40 metres above the Harbour, enjoying the view of the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Luna Park Sydney.

Gala Awards Dinner

Tuesday 17 September 2019 (evening)

Luna Park Sydney, Crystal Palace – Grand Ballroom, Milsons Point
Luna Park is an iconic event and entertainment precinct with the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House as backdrop. Set amongst it, is the heritage-listed Crystal Palace, a fusion of traditional elegance with contemporary sophistication and one of Sydney’s smartest multipurpose event venues. After one of the most sympathetic restorations ever undertaken, the original Crystal Palace is now home to a modern and spacious function centre. Its Grand Ballroom boasts beautiful harbour view outdoor deck areas, six metre high ceiling and arched floor to ceiling windows overlooking the Harbour. | Link to e-brochure