Blak in the stacks

Join us for a special panel discussion to mark NAIDOC Week 2024. Members of the Library’s Indigenous Engagement branch Melissa Jackson, Ronald Briggs and Damien Webb will discuss and display highlights from the Library’s collection, including some new acquisitions.

Ronald Briggs (Gamilaroi) is originally from Moree in central north-western NSW. He has over 30 years of experience working at the State Library of NSW and has also worked with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Most recently Ronald has been part of the Library’s curatorial team, specialising in First Nations people and histories, curating exhibitions and bringing new items and voices into the Library’s collections.

Melissa Jackson is of Bundjalung descent with family links to the Baryulgil area near Grafton. Born in Crown Street Women’s Hospital she has spent her whole life in Sydney. Melissa worked in various government departments, including the Department of Housing and Attorney General’s Department before starting work at the State Library of NSW in 1991. She has a background in teaching and obtained her librarianship qualifications from the University of Technology Sydney. Melissa is a past president of ATSILIRN, the national body representing Indigenous library workers.

Damien Webb is a queer Palawa man (from southeast Tasmania) who has worked in state libraries for the last 10 years, including roles in Western Australia and New South Wales. He previously coordinated the State Library of Western Australia’s ‘Storylines Project’ and has worked with Aboriginal artists, traditional owners and researchers all over Australia.