Albany 2026: Science, history and culture combine for The Gift of Truth Telling lecture series

The Gift of Truth Telling lecture series is under way at UWA Albany, showcasing some of Albany’s brightest scientific and academic minds alongside the wisdom of local Indigenous elders in honour of Albany 2026.

The lecture series was launched at the town hall in March, with a panel of local scientists, historians, UWA academics and elders kicking off the months-long project designed to spark new interest in the science, history and cultural lore of Albany.

The series compiles six months of lectures from historians, scientists, and Menang elders, all based on the theme “the gift of truth-telling”.

The lecture content ranges from Albany’s geology to its history, its colonial past to its iconic flora and fauna, and the work being done to preserve Menang history for the next generation.

The project is also a key part of Kinjarling Djinnung Maat, a 2026 project that will eventuate into a new walking path created with the knowledge of seven Indigenous families from the region.

The new walking trail will be designed to strengthen Albany residents’ connection to the Indigenous country they live on, and the culture, knowledge and history that surrounds them.

Attendees at the launch heard from renowned botanist Professor Stefan Porembski about granite flora, a key part of the Great Southern region’s natural environment and geology.

Then, the discussion opened up to a panel that included UWA professors in conservation Stephen Hopper and Alison Lullfitz, Menang elder Dr Lynette Knapp and Merningar woman Shandell Cummings, discussing the topic “how can we walk together to care for country?”.

The panel shared both scientific and Indigenous perspectives of caring for land, and discussed how their respective methods could best be combined.

The monthly lectures in the Gift of Truth Telling series will all be hosted at UWA Albany on Stirling Terrace.

The series kicked off last month with Menang elder Eliza Woods and Dr Lullfitz, sharing history and scientific information about the Borden Reserve, and how both Indigenous people and scientists are fighting for its future.

The next lecture is coming up on May 14, and attendees will hear from Dr Sarah Comer, Dr Lynette Knapp and Shandell Cummings about protecting and conserving threatened native animals around Albany.

On June 11, Dr Catherine Spaggiari will speak on cross-cultural geology, and on June 25 professor Tiffany Shellam will join Menang woman Shona Coyne on stage to talk about elevating the lives of Menang women in historical collections.

The lectures will continue until September 24, with science lectures on the second Thursday of each month and historic lectures on the fourth Thursday.