On a 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art exhibition tour, our experienced facilitators will introduce your students to key ideas and artworks. Students will participate in group discussions and activities, prompting them to think critically about the works.
Exhibition tours
Connection to Country/place
Grades 3–4
Students will explore Connections to Country/place through five key artworks by Brett Leavy, Mandy Nicholson, Albert Namatjira, Minimini Numalkiyiya Mamarika, and Betty Muffler and Maringka Burton.
Duration: 60 min
Continuity of culture
Grades 5–6
Students will explore Continuity of Culture through seven key artworks by Brett Leavy, Mandy Nicholson, William Barak, Mundukul and Noŋgirrŋa Marawili, Woŋgu and Dhambit Munuŋgurr, and Betty Muffler and Maringka Burton.
Duration: 60 min
Land, belonging and time
Grades 7–8
Students will explore Land, belonging and time through six key artworks by Brett Leavy, Mandy Nicholson, Brian Robinson, Ginger Riley Munduwalawala, Naomi Hobson, and Betty Muffler and Maringka Burton.
Duration: 60 mins
Rights and freedoms
Grades 9–10
Students will explore Land, rights and freedom through six key artworks by Brett Leavy, Lin Onus, Trevor Nickolls, Robert Campbell JNR, Ishmael Marika, and Betty Muffler and Maringka Burton.
Duration: 60 mins
Truth-telling through curating
Grades 11–12 VCE
Senior secondary students will learn about the process and practice of curating 65,000 Years through five key artworks by Brett Leavy, Julie Gough, Gordon Bennett, and Betty Muffler and Maringka Burton
Duration: 90 mins
Session dates and times
3 June 2025 to 21 November 2025
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Grades 3–10: 11am, 12.15pm, 1.30pm
Grades 11/12: 11.15am, 1pm
Cost
$15 per student* + booking fee^
*Group sizes and duty of care: Min cost for 15 students. Capacity 15-60 students per session time. One teacher required per group of 15 students.
^Booking fees: $50 for up to 15 students, $75 for up to 30 students, and $100 for up to 60 students.
Low-SES schools are encouraged to get in touch with the Learning Experiences team for more information about available support to access the Schools Program. Email school-bookings@unimelb.edu.au
Albert Namatjira (Western Aranda, 1902–1959), Quarta-Tooma (Ormiston Gorge) 1939, watercolour and gouache on paper, 34.5 × 27 cm (sheet). Private collection.
Gordon Bennett (1955–2014), Big Romantic Painting (Apotheosis of Captain Cook) 1993, synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 182 × 400.5 × 4 cm. The University of Melbourne Art Collection. Purchased from the artist 1993, following the artist’s term as artist in residence at The University of Melbourne.
Noŋgirrŋa Marawili (Madarrpa, Yirritja moiety, 1939–2023), Baratjala 2022, earth pigments and fuchsia toner on Stringybark, 102.5 × 61 cm. The University of Melbourne Art Collection. Purchased through the Margaret Cooper Bequest fund 2023.
Trevor Nickolls (Ngarrindjeri, 1949–2012), Tightrope walking 1979–80, oil on canvas, 198.5 × 91 cm. The University of Melbourne Art Collection, VCA Collection, gift of the artist.
Learn about the exhibition
65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art
The exhibition examines the rise to prominence of First Peoples’ art across Australia.
65,000 Years Learning Resources
Engage with the 65,000 Years exhibition through high-quality, Indigenous-led curriculum resources created by Ngarrngga.
65,000 Years Teacher PD
Professional learning for educators who are keen to engage with the 65,000 Years exhibition and the connected Ngarrngga curriculum resources.