Dr Peter McKenzie

Peter McKenzie is a member of and from, the Historic Aboriginal community of La Perouse on Botany Bay in Sydney. He is a Photographer, Artist, Musician, Luthier, Jewellery Designer, Singer/Songwriter, Curator of Aboriginal Art, Sculptor, Cartoonist, ex-University Lecturer and Museum worker. He worked for four years as the Director of the Armidale Aboriginal Culture Centre before embarking on his PhD at the Centre for Positive Psychology and Education.

Qualifications

MFA (UNSW), PhD (UWS)

Awards

  • Yarramundi Scholarship, University of Western Sydney
  • Commonwealth Aboriginal Overseas Study Award, Fulbright Scholar to USA.

Grant

‘Hidden talent: A critical analysis of the contributions of Aboriginal musicians of the New England Tablelands to Contemporary Aboriginal culture and cultural revitalisation’ - ARC Indigenous Researchers Development Grant, 2008-2010

Thesis Title

Hidden Talent: A Critical Analysis of the Contributions of Aboriginal Musicians of the New England Tablelands to Contemporary Aboriginal Culture and Cultural Revitalisation.

Supervisors

Professor Rhonda Craven & Professor Michael Atherton

Thesis submission date

2011

Abstract

This research forms a significant contribution to the Anaiwan Nation and the Australia’s understanding of the development of Aboriginal music in the New England area. There has been very little research into this aspect of my people’s History. The research aims to make a significant contribution to our conceptual understandings of and documentation of Australian History from an actual indigenous perspective (drawn from experience and research by a real Aboriginal person…) to ensure Indigenous historical interpretations and perspectives are voiced in critical academic analyses of Australian history. The outcome will be a comprehensive multi-method critical analysis of Anaiwan people’s contributions to the development and eventual reality of music created by Aboriginal people in the New England area. The researcher’s paternal antecedents are from the Anaiwan Nation.

Publications

McKenzie, P. (2009) What is an Indigenous Music Festival? Who determines the Culture, Content and Business? UWS College of Arts Conference, 2nd November 2009

Art Gallery of NSW exhibition. “Half Light”

 

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