PROJECT DIRECTOR

2007 - PRESENT

Associate Professor John Bradley’s work with Indigenous families and communities began early in his teaching career, when he witnessed the lack of understanding displayed by colleagues, towards Indigenous history and culture in Australia. He decided to pursue a career in research and academia, so that he could do more to educate himself and others.

His PhD research focused on Indigenous ways of understanding dugong and marine turtles - and how that knowledge overlaps or differentiates from Western knowledge.

In 2007, he founded the Wunungu Awara Archive, an animation program that records stories in Indigenous languages, often using 3D techniques that can create the country as it looked before colonisation.

John himself speaks three Indigenous languages – taught to him by the families and communities he’s met during his research. “I feel profoundly enriched in being able to speak languages other than English. I was graciously taught by Aboriginal families and communities, and these experiences and skill sets have shaped how I teach, research and my personal understanding of what is important in life.”

John has taught first year students about Indigenous relationships and explores points of contention that have shaped the position of Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians in contemporary society.

John’s goal is to demonstrate that Aboriginal knowledges has a place in contemporary education and in society as a whole – and that all knowledge should be accepted. “As commonly said by Aboriginal people, we need to grow ears or to listen. If more people were able to listen, and understand the value of listening, they would also become more intelligent. Not just academically intelligent, but emotionally intelligent too, about learning how to be in this world.”

ANIMATION DIRECTOR

2007 - PRESENT

For the past 18 years, Brent has been directing animated short films for various Indigenous communities around Australia, many part of the ‘Wunungu Awara’ animated archive of Indigenous Knowledge.  A portfolio boasting over 20 short-form animation ranging from 1 to 30 minutes, with standouts having been screened on ABC, SBS, NITV and various film festivals around Australia. 

As Animation Director his primary role was  managing a small team of digital artists in the production of animated episodes, overseeing the whole pipeline from look-development, storyboarding, asset creation, animation, visual effects, rendering and post-production. He has collaborating directly with indigenous community members in the depiction and execution of their cultural knowledge, as well as communication with any Anthropologist, Archaeologist, Museum Archivists and Linguists that were also involved with the participating  communities.

Brent's dedication to visual storytelling, both innovative and traditional, is the driving force behind his animation studio, Studio Xisco.  With an in-depth knowledge of animation production in its entirety, Studio Xisco takes a project from script-to-screen; pre-production, production and post.  With a focus on pure animation, immersive storytelling and breathtaking visuals, Studio Xisco uses an array of animation techniques; 2D and 3D, line drawn, stylised abstractions and full photo realism; whatever is required to best tell the story and engage the audience.

TECHNICAL SUPERVISOR

2007 - 2018

Tom’s research explores 3D modelling and virtual environments in research visualisation. He has developed a range of interdisciplinary collaborations, primarily in archaeology & history, with the Visualising Angkor Project, but also in Indigenous Studies with the Wunungu Awara Archive, in zoology, with colleagues at La Trobe University, and in ecology, working with CSIRO and the Australian Ecosystems Models Framework.

Working with academic partners, he has developed a suite of four interlinked, practice based units in 3D modelling, 3D animation and virtual world building at Monash University, Faculty of Information Technology. Many of his approaches to teaching are informed by his own research into evidenced based historical reconstructions; where virtual reality and 3D simulation technologies are first trialled before being introduced into the teaching curriculum. This nexus between teaching and research has brought about new opportunities in the development of immersive, interdisciplinary teaching materials for humanities undergraduates in Australia and in the United States.

PROJECT MANAGER

2019 - 2023

Fred Leone is one of the three Butchulla Songmen with Aboriginal, Tongan and South-Sea Islander roots. He comes from the Garrwa and Butchulla tribes. He has worked as the Production Manager for Wunungu Awara, a Monash University program that collaborates with Aboriginal communities, records and animates endangered Indigenous Languages and Knowledge. He is committed to social change and social justice, applying his skills and knowledge to support the strength, status and development of Indigenous Culture.

Through his music, language & dance, and body of work, Fred is also focused on enriching the lives of young people in the areas of positive leadership, self-expression, self-confidence, self-pride and pride in communities and culture.

PROJECT MANAGER

2011 - 2018

Shannon is a Koorie woman from Mildura. In 2009 she graduated with PhD research titled ‘Narratives of Koorie Victoria’. Prior to returning to study she worked for nine years at the Koorie Heritage Trust. Her research concentrates on the location of Indigenous Australian peoples and their knowledge within the Australian society and collective knowledge. In 2011 she became the Finkel Fellow (Senior Research Fellow) with the Monash Country Lines Archive program researching the use of 3D animation in preserving and intergenerational learning of language and knowledge that is in danger of being lost.

Shannon is a published author, academic, cultural critic and practitioner with demonstrated
significant experience in community advocacy research and projects. Her credentials are further bolstered with the publication and presentation of academic papers at multiple local, national and international conferences and substantiate my developed experience and understanding of life for Indigenous Australians in contemporary mainstream Australia.

Shannon holds a PhD in Indigenous Studies (Monash University), Bachelor of Arts (Ballarat University College), Graduate Diploma Natural and Cultural Heritage Interpretation (Deakin University) and a Graduate Certificate Applied Science, Environment and Heritage Interpretation (Deakin University).

Shannon is currently Head, First Peoples Department at Museums Victoria.

ANIMATOR

2019 - PRESENT

For over 40 years Craig has evolved as a visual storyteller. He worked professionally as an editorial illustrator for magazines and newspapers and as an artist selling works around Australia and overseas. When not creating pictures Craig worked/played as a trapeze artist and coach, international flight attendant, Climb Leader at Bridge Climb Sydney, Social Director for cruise ships and taught countless people how to play video games as a part of their physical rehabilitation in hospitals.

At Wunungu Awara, while under the guidance of Animation Director Brent McKee, Craig utilized his illustration skills as storyboard artist while also contributing to the visual conceptualisation of the animations. Most of his time was spent as a character animator and he found much fulfilment in watching the personalities of the two young men come to life and shape the world around them. Craig is currently lecturing 3D Animation at SAE Institute in Byron Bay, Australia.

MUSIC & SOUND

2019 - 2023

Samuel Pankhurst is an Australian contrabassist, composer, improviser, producer, curator, an interdisciplinary artist well known for his collaboration with Butchulla songman Fred Leone; Yirinda. Pankhurst scored for Wunungu Awara, a prolific animated series which shares indigenous knowledge and stories. Samuel also scored ‘City Crush’ and ‘Leisure’ by filmmaker Mia Forrest. Both have been screened extensively at festivals around the world whilst the former was selected by the Cannes Film Festival. He has garnered the respect of children worldwide for his work as an dialogue engineer/editor on Bluey. As a producer/musical director he has worked with Grammy award nominated Hiatus Kaiyote, celebrated indie rock act ‘The Trouble With Templeton’, Brisbane art-punk iconoclast Gerald Keaney and the Gerald Keaneys, and legendary indigenous singer songwriter Shellie Morris.

Samuel is currently developing a large-scale installation/performance piece with legendary indigenous artist Archie Moore. The piece tackles Australia’s rich tapestry of racism in the media. He is also collaborating with Warraba Weatherall on a large-scale installation for the NGV in 2024.

TECHNICIAN WIZARD

2014 - 2018

Elliott Wilson’s research interests include real-time 3D Graphics and Games (including Virtual Reality), Visualisation, Emerging Interfaces and Interactions, Mobile and Wearable Technology, 3D Printing and Digital Fabrication, Robotics and Electronics.

Elliott was Lab Manager at SensiLab for almost a decade and was responsible for the day to day running of the research space since its inception. He also collaborated on a number of SensiLab research projects and developed custom hardware, software and everything in-between.

Previously, Elliott was a Game Developer and taught Games Design and Development and Mobile Application Development at Monash’s Faculty of IT.

In September 2024, Elliott took up the position of Senior Engineer at Circadian Health Innovations to continue the commercial development of the MiEye project, which he developed while at SensiLab.

MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN

2015 - 2018

Patrick Hutchings is a composer and AI researcher, often working in the cross section of these two areas. His research focus is in creative applications of artificial intelligence, where he looks at new ways of assisting and expanding creative practices with AI.

Pat has a particular interest in AI and music, completing his PhD on adaptive music for interactive media under the supervision of Prof. Jon McCormack and Dr. Vince Dziekan in 2019. He then worked as a member of the Creative AI team at SensiLab as a post-doctoral researcher. He is currently lead developer at a San Fransisco-based music AI startup AiMi.

Pat also holds Bachelor degrees in Music and Science from the Australian National University, and continues his creative practice in music by composing for games, film and solo projects.