Pearling Elders
- When
- Open now
- Where
- Australian National Maritime Museum2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour, Sydney NSW 2000
- Ages
- 10-18 years
- Cost
- Free
- Listed by
- Australian National Maritime Museum
About this event
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.