First Nations stories to transform historic Ballarat Mining Exchange

A powerful, First Nations-led installation will take over the historic Ballarat Mining Exchange from Friday, transforming the space to create an immersive experience for visitors.

Displayed alongside Craft Lab 2025, the Deep Listening project was funded by a Festivals Australia grant by the Australian Government represented by the Office for the Arts, Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

The Deep Listening project, facilitated by the City of Ballarat, was also supported by the Perridak Art Gallery, the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (BADAC) and the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.  

These groups all assisted local Wadawurrung artist Jenna Oldaker to connect with Ballarat Aboriginal residents in a series of interviews and workshops in which participants, some from the Stolen Generation, shared stories from their lives. These stories have provided inspiration and guidance for the resulting artworks Oldaker has created, which explore the fundamental question: ‘Whose heritage is it?’.

Oldaker’s striking works pair a distinctive colour palette with the exploration of six core themes: spirit, song, story, heart, healing, and history. Together they weave a tapestry of Indigenous voices from the Ballarat region.  

Oldaker first created these works as intimate canvas paintings, which have been digitised and transformed into large-scale fabric installations that will hang throughout the Mining Exchange.  

Accompanying each installation will be text descriptions, which Oldaker collected and transcribed, that share the stories behind the artworks and their cultural significance, giving visitors deeper insight into the experiences represented.  

Oldaker said she felt privileged to be part of the “powerful” Deep Listening project.  

“As a Wadawurrung woman, I feel privileged to amplify the stories of our Indigenous community through my artwork,” she said.  

“Visitors will discover histories that unfolded on the very streets we walk on today. This isn't distant history – these events happened right here in Ballarat, within our living memory.  

“If visitors connect with just one word, one symbol or one piece of our shared past, then we are moving toward meaningful reconciliation. Some may find these truths confronting, but understanding our complete history together is essential for genuine healing."

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Tracey Hargreaves said she was proud the City of Ballarat could provide a platform for the Deep Listening project.  

“These powerful stories have shaped our shared history and continue to influence our collective future,” she said.

“Creating these meaningful cultural connections is central to our vision for Ballarat, strengthening our community through mutual respect and deeper awareness."  

This exhibition offers a unique journey toward understanding, reconciliation, and celebration of First Nations culture.  

Federal Member for Ballarat Catherine King, said she was thrilled to see the community coming together to support the Deep Listening project, and proud in the contribution made by the Albanese Labor Government.

“It’s events like these that give us a chance to share in our collective history, which only serves to strengthen the connection of the Ballarat community.

“Humans connect through story and that’s exactly what the Deep Listening project is about.”  

With free public entry, visitors are invited to experience these installations at the historic Mining Exchange in Ballarat on 17-18 and 24-25 May. 

For more information about the Deep Listening project, visit the Creative Ballarat website.