Uncover untold stories of Lake Monger in a new 360 virtual reality film

The Galup VR Experience was created by Ian Wilkes and artist/filmmaker Poppy van Oorde-Grainger, with an oral history from Elder Doolann-Leisha Eatts and guided by a team of supportive Noongar Elders.

This immersive experience transports audiences to Galup (Lake Monger), revealing a powerful story of Noongar culture, colonial impact and truth-telling. Viewers are taken on a sunset journey around the lake, where the layers of time peel back for a retelling of one of its most important and largely untold stories.

Produced by Same Drum, the experience is more than a film – it’s an invitation to all Australians to learn more about our collective past and shed  light on  tragic events that occurred in and around Lake Monger.

“Galup is both powerful and timely,” said Alec Coles, CEO of the Western Australian Museum. “Truth-telling is a critical step towards reconciliation for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples.”

“This experience is a wonderful and powerful opportunity for our community to walk together through history, and to listen, learn and honour the stories of our past and present,” said Mayor Linda Aitken.

Dive into the Galup VR Experience, free at the Wanneroo Library and Cultural Centre with multiple sessions on Wednesday 18 June 2025.

Bookings are essential: Register on Eventbrite.

Suitable for ages 13+.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audience members are advised that this production includes names, images and voices of people who have passed away. Names, images and voices of the deceased are used with permission.

Acknowledgements

Created by Ian Wilkes and Poppy van Oorde-Grainger with an oral history from Doolann-Leisha Eatts.

Produced by Same Drum and guided by a team of supportive Noongar Elders.

Assisted by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

Project Partners: Viewport XR, Museum of Freedom and Tolerance, Community Arts Network, Town of Cambridge Library, City of Vincent Local History Centre and Sandbox Productions.

Galup VR Experience is based on the Galup site-specific performance originally commissioned by International Art Space as a part of the Know Thy Neighbour #2 program. The performance was remounted in 2021 for Perth Festival, co-produced by Same Drum and Performing Lines WA.