Blogs

Innovative audiotape device designed in-house

Yolŋu Sign Language

Yolŋu Sign Language (YSL) is a unique, endangered sign language of the Yolŋu people of North East Arnhem Land.

Conservation of Indigenous language cards

The Ken Hale language cards in the AIATSIS Collection number over 3500 and help document various Indigenous languages from the remote regions of Australia.

'Treaty' by Yothu Yindi

‘Treaty' was a worldwide hit and the first song by a mainly Aboriginal band to peak on the ARIA singles chart.

Pallottine Mission student records – Tardun, WA

In July 2017, the Pallottines donated a collection of material to AIATSIS relating to the Mission, hostel and school that had been operating in Tardun, WA, from 1948 to 2004.

Nganapurru malngmarama balandanha runungura baman

A first-hand account of the rescue of U.S Air Force Flight Lieutenant Clarence Sanford by Rirratjingu clan leader Wandjuk Marika and his two fathers.

Wisdomatic Women Leader: The Spirit of Baymarrwaŋa

AIATSIS is celebrating 2019 International Woman’s Day by recognising Senior Australian of the Year Laurie Baymarrwaŋa’s vision to ‘give language back to the children’.

A Rare Pine Needle and Raffia Mat by Marilyne Nicholls

In 2016, AIATSIS acquired a tiny woven object only 16cm in diameter for our Art and Object Collection. Its small size belies the complex story behind its creation.

Remembrance Day 2018

AIATSIS pays our respects to Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders who served and died in all wars.

Each year on the 11th November Australians observe one minute’s silence at 11am, in memory of those who died or suffered in all wars and armed conflicts.

Lest we forget

Keeping our AV cogs turning

Our engineering section archives and maintains the devices and ancillary machines that are needed to play back the sound and vision recorded on the 55,000 hours of video and audio held on magnetic tape in the collection.