Secrets of Dawn, Touring Exhibition

About this event

Secrets of Dawn exposes the tactics of assimilation enforced under the NSW Aborigines Protection Act (1909–1969). This award-winning exhibition is touring to Shoalhaven Regional Gallery.

Dawn Magazine was created by the Aborigines Welfare Board (1940-1969) as "a magazine for the Aboriginal people of New South Wales", highlighting the work of the Board, sharing photos and stories from stations, reserves and training institutions throughout New South Wales. There are over 100 references to the Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls (1912-1969) across volumes of Dawn Magazine.

The covert purpose of Dawn Magazine was to falsify the reality of the living conditions and wellbeing of forcibly removed children, through fabricated photo opportunities and articles, promoting to First Nations readers the "advantages" of assimilating into colonised White Australian society "by active and willing cooperation".

The exhibition features content from Dawn Magazine alongside contemporary works from Coota Girls Survivors and descendants. Through powerful truth-telling, Secrets of Dawn honours Coota Girls Survivors and all Stolen Generations Survivors who, despite efforts to eradicate First Nations people and culture through assimilation, have resisted and persisted through truth-telling, healing and self-determination.