Keen

Pearling Elders

Australian National Maritime Museum · Sydney

portraits and oral histories honouring Torres Strait pearling Elders

Event Infowhatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au Ask your mates if they’re keenGet a link for the group chat · no app needed
🗓️Until Wed 30 Dec
🎟️Free
History & heritageArt & galleries

Your crew, sorted

See which mates are free for this, minus the group chat roll call.

Got Keen? Open it in the app

About

This exhibition explores the Torres Strait pearling industry and centres the lived experiences of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and South Sea Islander seafarers whose stories have historically been overlooked.

From the late 19th to early 20th century, the Torres Strait was the global centre of the mother‑of‑pearl industry, supplying shell used in buttons, instruments, and luxury goods worldwide.

Through portraits, oral histories, and research led by Kuku Yalanji woman Nerelle Nicol, the exhibition honours the remaining Elders who worked on pearling luggers and preserves their stories for future generations.

---

Please note: our permanent collections and select exhibitions are completely free for everyone to enjoy. If you'd like to explore our vessels and special temporary exhibitions, tickets are available at the front desk or online.

Getting there

Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney

Directions ↗
Bigger map ↗ · © OpenStreetMap contributors

Quick answers

When is Pearling Elders ?

It is on now, until Wed 30 Dec.

Where is it?

Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney, NSW.

How much is it?

It is free.

Where do I find out more?

On whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au. The button at the top of this page goes straight there.

How do I find out which of my mates are keen?

Tap "Ask your mates if they're keen" on this page. You get one link for the group chat, and your mates answer keen, maybe or can't in their browser, with no app and no sign-up. It is free.

Similar events

Plan it on Keen

Keen is how mates lock in plans: see who’s free, who’s keen, and actually make it happen.

🗓️ Your mates’ free times, without asking 💬 One chat for the whole plan 🔔 A reminder on the day