WOLGALU FOOTPRINTS - Shane Herrington
Traditional tools & techniques
Proud Wolgalu Wiradjuri man Shane Herrington has been sharing traditional cultural practices for over 20 years. Knowledge and practices passed to him by his family, community and Elders now form part of his Wolgalu Footprints demonstrations and teachings. Shane is dedicated and passionate about preserving and protecting culture and passing on knowledge through hands-on learning and practical experiences.
At Giiyong Festival 2023, Shane will be sharing his knowledge of traditional tools and techniques such as stone axes, cutting tools and ropemaking. Watch as Shane crafts tools from natural materials and listen to the stories of their use and their history.
Shane is highly regarded in the fields of cultural heritage and learning, regularly collaborating with the Australian National University and the University of Wollongong, and many other institutions, government agencies, community events, schools and businesses. He is a sought after consultant and speaker, and a key partner and advisor on Murrudha: Sovereign Walks. Recently he has contributed to panel discussions with the University of New Mexico regarding place-based arts and cultural education and to the 2022 AITSIS conference panel on Murrudha – Sovereign Walks: tracking cultural actions through art, Country, language and music.
Shane has been nominated two years running for the ANU Vice Chancellor's Award for Teaching Excellence alongside his colleagues, as a key First Nations contributor to the ANU School of Art and Design's Balawan and Buugang Environment Studio courses.
Shane has a deep connection to his own community of the Tumut and Brungle region - in 2023, Shane was awarded the local NAIDOC Wirimbildhaany Ngurambanggu Award - Carer of Country Award. In 2021, he received the local NAIDOC Deadly Sportsperson of the Year Award. In the past, Shane's work has been recognised with a Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Award, and as a finalist in the Australian Tourism Awards.
Shane is also an accomplished artist, storyteller and yidaki (didgeridoo) player.
Find out more at www.wolgalufootprints.com.au
