Gararra (fishing spear) with wooden prongs, 2011, made by Rod Mason at Cook’s landing place, Botany Bay. 

Gararra (fishing spears) belonging to the Gweagal people, and collected at Botany Bay in April 1770. 

Gararra (fishing spear) with steel prongs, 2011, made by Rod Mason at Cook’s landing place, Botany Bay. 

A Gweagal shield collected at Botany Bay in April 1770.

Kelp water container made by Tasmanian Aboriginal people, collected from Oyster Cove by Joseph Milligan in 1850–51.

Wallaby tooth necklace made by Gunditjmara and Kirrae Whurrong peoples, collected by Augustus Strong, probably from St Marys, Warrnambool, in 1842–44. 

Headband made by the Yidinji people around Cairns, collected by William Charles Handley before 1895. 

Postcard from the 19th century, British Museum Oc,B77.1. This postcard from Queensland recalls violent times. The message on its reverse, from an unknown sender to an unknown recipient, baldly states: “This is a photo of an old Snider carbine used in early years by native police – the marks on the stock are the ‘tally’.”

Bark etching made by the Dja Dja Wurrung people, collected from Fernyhurst by John Hunter Kerr before 1855. 

Bark painting collected from Port Essington before 1868.

Shield made by the rainforest peoples collected from Rockingham Bay by John Ewen Davidson in 1866–68. 

Shield collected from the Shoalhaven by Henry Moss before 1862. 

Pop-le-op (turtle-shell mask) made by Meriam people collected on Mer (Murray Island) before 1855. 

Neud (night fish), 2014, ghost-net sculpture by Kapua Gutchen Erub (Darnley Island). 

‘Sydney Harbour Bridge’ shell ornament, 2006, by Esme Timbery, Bidjigal people of La Perouse, Botany Bay.