12 April 2006 - The first Northern
Territory place has been added to the National
Heritage List, the Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell announced.
The Hermannsburg Historic Precinct has been added
to Australia’s most prestigious heritage list
for its important heritage values, including being
one of the longest running Aboriginal missions
in Australia and the home of renowned artist Albert
Namatjira.
“The historic mission, 140 km west of Alice Springs,
was established by German Lutheran missionaries
in 1877,” Senator Campbell said.
“The place has a special association with Albert
Namatjira, one of Australia’s greatest artists
who grew up at the mission. Namatjira was the
first Aboriginal Australian to exhibit paintings
commercially.
“His work became widely acclaimed and a national
symbol for Aboriginal achievement. The missionaries
played an important part in supporting and promoting
his early work and today the Hermannsburg Historic
Precinct continues to be home to many artists
painting in the watercolour tradition.
“The listing continues the partnership between
the Australian Government and the local community
that has previously included a grant of $225,000
in 2001–02 to conserve many of the buildings within
the Precinct.
“In addition more than $20,000 has recently been
provided to the local Ntaria School through the
Sharing Australia’s Stories programme, for a book
on Albert Namatjira, to celebrate the life of
this great Australian artist. The project is an
opportunity for local school children to produce
their own works of art, working with visiting
artists, and have these included in the book,”
Senator Campbell said.
The Hermannsburg Historic Precinct comprises one
of the few surviving and relatively intact mid-to-late
19th century evangelical bush mission station
complexes in Australia.
