Online Maritime History and Culture Seminar - November

 

This free online talk by Nerelle Nicol is part of the 2026/7 series of the Maritime History and Culture Seminar organised by Royal Museums Greenwich. 

 

 

In this talk, Nerelle Nicol will reflect on 'Lugger Bort', a collaborative social history project revealing the history and stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers in the pearling, Beche-de-Mer and trochus industries of Far North Queensland.

 

From the mid-1860s, these maritime industries have been fraught with danger and labour exploitation. Centered around the themes of Industry, Vessels, Working Conditions and Legacy, the project weaves oral histories, archival records, traditional songs and dances, photographs and artefact to illuminate the vital yet often overlooked contributions of these communities to Queensland's economic, social, and cultural development. 

 

 

Nerelle Nicol is an intermediate curator and creative producer, recognised for her significant contributions to indigenous art and cultural storytelling in Australia. She has curated major projects, including 'Lugger Bort', and has recorded oral histories of elder seafarers for the National Library of Australia. Her curatorial work explores the themes of social and political activism, migration, and Indigenous histories.

 

Please join the seminar using the link on the seminar webpage.