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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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Zellanach Djab Mara, 2019

Sean Paris

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2020 Finalist

In mid-2018, Gunaikurnai, Djab Wurrung Indigenous activist Zellanach Djab Mara was called onto Country by senior elders and former Indigenous MP Lidia Thorpe to protect sacred birthing trees on Djab Wurrung land, from the impending destruction of highway construction through the landscape. Prior to this, Zellanach ran a successful business teaching traditional Indigenous games to schools, corporations and communities. He was compelled to stop his business to live on Country with his wife Amanda, creating the Djab Wurrung Heritage Protection Embassy. Zellanach has been living at the embassy for over sixteen months, striving to protect sacred women’s country.

National Photographic Portrait Prize 2020

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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