Prior to every performance in one of our venues, you will hear an Acknowledgement of Country from Uncle Jim Everett – puralia meenamatta.  

By sharing an Acknowledgement of Country, the Theatre Royal recognises that we live and share culture in Nipaluna on the traditional lands of the Muwinina people. We respect the millennia of storytelling, music and dance that has taken place on this land, pay respect to the Elders that have come before, and the continuing custodianship of the Palawa peoples of Lutruwita/Tasmania. 

Uncle Jim Everett 

With a significant legacy in the development of Tasmanian arts and culture, Uncle Jim is a pioneering and unique voice, representing the stories of the Tasmanian Aboriginal community for over five decades. A poet, playwright, activist and Tasmanian Aboriginal Elder, we honour Uncle Jim’s enormous legacy to arts and culture. 

About the recordings 

With text created by Sinsa Mansell, the recording was made with Uncle Jim and Sinsa in the Hedberg Recording Studio on Friday 18 February 2022.  

It was first played on Friday 21 October 2022, on the opening night of tuylupa, a dance work created by pakana kanaplila and Soma Lumia. It also celebrated Uncle Jim’s 80th birthday.

We created two recordings to play when there is no live Acknowledgment or Welcome to Country.  

The recordings use English and Palawa kani, the language of Tasmanian Aboriginals. One version is used for the performances with First Peoples artists or stories, and a second for all other productions. 

Project legacy 

This project is also a legacy for future generations. Every time we play an Acknowledgement, the Theatre Royal pays a royalty to a fund that will support development opportunities for Tasmanian Aboriginal artists. 

Commissioning partners 

We are grateful for support from the City of Hobart and Arts Tasmania towards the commissioning of this project.