BERNIE GRISTWOOD

Bernie came to the Museum on a work experience placement for a course in Museum Studies he was doing at Deakin University. Bernie was brought up in Braybrook and is brother to Matthew Gristwood who has been with the Koorie Gardening team since it started in 1992. He is familiar with the Museum and has been here several times for visits, discussions and live events. Bernie spent some time doing cultural talks and walks at Galeena Beak near Healesville

The placement was for two weeks, but Bernie stayed and worked on several projects at the Museum, in conjunction with Larry Walsh, as part of his own personal commitment to involve Aboriginal people and the wider community in a greater appreciation of Aboriginal culture and its place in contemporary life.

He organised dancers for the Big West Festival and helped organise a dance seminar funded by the Lance Reichstein Foundation, which has given strong support to several elements of the Museum's ongoing Aboriginal program. He painted children's faces at the Museum's 15th anniversary, gave talks and tours to school and other groups and became the Museum's representative on a committee of more than 20 museums developing a series of exhibitions about 'Our Youthful Nation'. Two years ago they produced a series of exhibitions about the Australian Family.

Bernie has moved on to a job working with artefacts at the Museum of Victoria but will remain working on 'Our Youthful Nation' which will feature the Koorie Gardening Team.