Essential information
| Type | Talks and tours |
|---|---|
| Location |
Online
|
| Date and times | Tuesday 24 March 2026 | 10.00-11.15am |
| Prices | Free |
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 maritime 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.
Through ongoing research and community engagement, 'Lugger Bort' seeks to uncover the challenges faced and the rich cultural heritage shaped during a century of pearling, Beche-de-Mer and trochus industries. This initiative honours the legacy of these workers, ensuring their unique story is widely celebrated and accepted, and fosters pride and a deeper appreciation of the region's maritime history for generations to come.
About the speaker: Nerelle Nicol
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', a Cairns Indigenous Art fair satellite exhibition showcased at Tank 4 in 2023. Her curatorial work often explores themes of social and political activism, migration, and Indigenous histories, with recent projects supported by grants from the Healing Foundation of Australia and the AQ First Nations Commissioning Fund. She has recorded the oral histories of elder seafarers for the National Library of Australia and facilitated their stories for the National Maritime Museum of Australia.
Nerelle's career is distinguished by prestigious fellowships, such as the National Museum of Australia's Encounters Fellowship and the Monica Clare Fellowship from the State Library of Queensland in 2025. Nerelle's ongoing commitment to community engagement and historical research continues to enrich the cultural landscape of Far North Queensland and beyond.
What’s on
See all upcoming Maritime History and Culture Seminars.
Maritime History and Culture Seminars
Our free talks cover a range of fascinating subjects, from maritime art and naval strategy to Black History and museum exhibitions.
Header image: Pearl Diver collecting shells from seabeds of Torres Strait, Qld. Frank Hurley 1881-1962, National Library of Australia, NLA ref205915.