Thick impasto painting depicting six figures; two indigenous males catching a fish in a landscape.Signed (L.r) 'Eric L. Stewart'. On Reverse: 'Legend of Wur-run-nah's walkabout by Katherine Stow (later Mrs. k.L. Parker). Wurrunnah when in a strange country, saw little round men who live in water. They made a coolomon of bark to keep the fig flies from him. Caught fish which were thrown up by the little water men'.eric stewart, painting, landscape, indigenous male, fish

Bronze plaque depicting a male indigenous dancer with two seated indigenous males in a landscape. Inscribed on reverse (u.r.c) 'Matcham Skipper'matcham skipper, plaque, bronze, indigenous dancer

Thick impasto painting depicting an indigenous man with two spears and seven kangaroos in a red landscape with large rock. Signed (L.r) 'Eric Stewart 76'. eric stewart, painting, landscape, indigenous male, kangaroo, ayers rock

Bronze plaque depicting a trio of male indigenous dancers. Nonematcham skipper, plaque, bronze, indigenous, dancer

Rectangular bronze plaque depicting two male indigenous dancers.Sticker on reverse containing "Matcham Skipper/ Australia/ No All" written in black pen. matcham skipper, bronze, plaque, indigenous, dancers

A bettong is about the size of a rabbit, with body length ranging from 30cm to 38cm among species. All bettongs have long tails, roughly equal to body length. Body weight ranges from 1.2 kg in the smallest species (Northern Bettong) to 2.8kg in the Rufous Bettong, the largest of the group. Males tend to be slightly larger than females. Bettongs have furry coats, ranging in colour from grey to ginger and brown. The bettong is endemic to Australia, and is an important part of Australia's Indigenous biodiversity. There are five living species of bettong; Eastern Bettong, Burrowing Bettong, Brush-tailed Bettong, Northern Bettong, Rufous Bettong. The bettong is a member of the Potoroidae family along with the endangered Potoroos, and the extinct Desert Rat-Kangaroos. This specimen is part of a collection of almost 200 animal specimens that were originally acquired as skins from either the Trustees of the Australian Museum or from the amateur anthropologist Reynell Eveleigh Johns between 1860-1880 and mounted by members of the Burke Museum Committee around the same time. When all Taxidermy mounts were completed, they were quickly put-on display in the formal space of the Museum’s original exhibition hall where they continue to be on display. This display of taxidermy mounts initially served to instruct visitors to the Burke Museum of the natural world around them, today it serves as an insight into the collecting habits of the 19th century.This specimen is part of a significant and rare taxidermy mount collection in the Burke Museum. This collection is scientifically and culturally important for reminding us of how science continues to shape our understanding of the modern world. They demonstrate a capacity to hold evidence of how Australia’s fauna history existed in the past and are potentially important for future environmental research. This collection continues to be on display in the Museum and has become a key part to interpreting the collecting habits of the 19th century.Average sized bettong with large clawed hind legs, small clawed fore legs, and a long tail that is roughly the length of its body and covered lightly in fur. The pelage of the bettong is fine and soft with the body fur cream and pale ochre in colouring with specks of brown while the underbelly is a solid cream colour. The head is small with a short muzzle and two small rounded ears, and features two round dark brown eyes made from clay.On mounting board: BMM5893/burke museum, taxidermy, taxidermy mount, bettong, rat kangaroo, bettongia, fauna, animal, animalia, potoroidae, reynell eveleigh johns

This stone Grinder or pounder was used as part of an indigenous grinding food preparation method, by the original inhabitants of the Kiewa Valley and its region. In conjunction with its grinding stone was used not only to grind seeds and but also to dig up eatable roots and leaves and served with the regions Bogong moth. This method of food preparation has survived in its basic form for centuries and is still used by master chiefs in modern eateries. This item has been registered with Aboriginal Affairs in Wangaratta, Victoria. Dhudhuroa elder Alan Murray has examined this tool, in Feb 2015, and said it was also used for sharpening axe heads as well as pounding food items. This item has a very significant historical and social aspect to it. Firstly it demonstrates the division of labour within a indigenous tribe. It was an era when the female had a definitive role within the family and the broader social indigenous tribal group of, gathering and preparing non animal(hunted) food. Hunted food was the domain of the initiated males of the tribe.Secondly it demonstrates the ability to fashion implements from raw materials(rock) into effective tools for the purpose of preparing a meal for human consumption. This was in an era where inter family and intra family participation in an indigenous tribal social protective environment was at a very high level. The Kiewa Valley/Mount Bogong region was an area where annual "get together" indigenous tribes for feasting, bartering and settling of disputes highlighting the importance of a regional gathering. Grooved stone, carved to a cylindrical shape with a relative pointed end tip one side (grinding or pounding end) and a rough other end (holding end} Made from Rhyolite stoneThere is a worn grove in the top side due to this tool being used for axe sharpening. indigenous, aboriginal, stone grinding, meal preparation, natural environment, pounding stone