About

Wolgalu Footprints was created to share Aboriginal Culture by founder and key presenter Wolgalu Wiradjuri man Shane Herrington. Shane is a Traditional Owner and Cultural Knowledge-holder. Wolgalu Footprints engages other Cultural producers and presenters when required.

Just some of Shane and Wolgalu Footprints’ collaborators and clients include: 

SNOWY 2.0 | FUTURE GENERATION JV | AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY | FALLING LEAF FESTIVAL |  REGIONAL ARTS NSW | EASTERN RIVERINA ARTS | SOUTH EAST ARTS | TWOFOLD ABORIGINAL CORPORATION | GIIYONG FESTIVAL  | GOING PLACES WITH ERNIE DINGO | UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG | TUMUT BRUNGLE LOCAL ABORIGINAL LAND COUNCIL | MUSEUM OF THE RIVERINA | MAWANG INC. | SNOWY VALLEYS COUNCIL

 

Shane Herrington

Proud Wolgalu Wiradjuri man Shane Herrington is a Traditional Owner and Cultural Knowledge-holder. He has been sharing traditional Cultural practices for over 20 years both privately and through various roles connected to government agencies.

Knowledge and practices passed to Shane by his family, community and Elders now form part of his Wolgalu Footprints demonstrations and teachings.  Shane is dedicated and passionate about preserving and protecting Aboriginal Culture and passing on knowledge through hands-on learning and practical experiences.

Shane Herrington is highly regarded in the fields of cultural learning, regularly collaborating with the Australian National University and the University of Wollongong, and many other institutions, government agencies, community events and businesses. He is a sought after consultant and speaker, and a key partner and advisor on Murrudha: Sovereign Walks. Recently he has contributed to panel discussions with the University of New Mexico regarding place-based arts and cultural education and to the 2022 AITSIS conference panel on  Murrudha – Sovereign Walks: tracking cultural actions through art, Country, language and music.

2024 saw Shane win the Ray Kelly Award for collaborating with communities to empower them in protecting cultural heritage, from the NSW Department of Environment & Heritage.

In 2023, he was awarded ANU Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Indigenous Education alongside colleagues Dr Amanda Stuart and Alison Simpson, and his son Aidan Hartshorn.

Shane was also nominated in both 2021 and 2022 for the ANU Vice Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence, as a key First Nations contributor to the ANU School of Art and Design’s Balawan and Buugang Environment Studio courses. Shane was project lead on the very successful LAGOON Project for Eastern Riverina Arts and Regional Arts NSW – an intergenerational project helping to reconnect local men to cultural and traditional practices. Canoe-making was a feature of this project, alongside spear and trap making.

Shane’s connection to his own community of the Tumut and Brungle region runs deep. In 2023, he was awarded the local NAIDOC Wirimbildhaany Ngurambanggu Award – Carer of Country Award. In 2021, Shane received the local NAIDOC Deadly Sportsperson of the Year Award. In the past, Shane’s work has been recognised with a Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Award, and as a finalist in the Australian Tourism Awards.

Shane Herrington is also an accomplished artist, storyteller and yidaki (didgeridoo) player. Over the years he has collaborated with many filmmakers, authors and provided stories, artwork and music for numerous projects including:

EXHIBITIONS

 2024 NAIDOC Keep the Fire Burning – Tumut Visitor Information Centre

2023 NAIDOC For Our Elders – Tumut Visitor Information Centre

2023-28  Muriin (canoes) and tools by Shane Herrington – Permanent Exhibition – Museum of the Riverina, Botanic Gardens Site, Wagga Wagga

2022 NAIDOC Get Up, Stand Up, Show Up – Tumut Visitor Information Centre

2021 Sharing Stories –  ANU School of Art & Design

AWARDS

2023 ANU Vice Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Indigenous Education alongside his son Aidan Hartshorn and colleagues Dr Amanda Stuart and Alison Simpson.

2023 NAIDOC Wirimbildhaany Ngurambanggu Award – Carer of Country Award.

2021 & 2022 Nominee ANU Vice Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence alongside his colleagues, as a key First Nations contributor to the ANU School of Art and Design’s Balawan and Buugang Environment Studio courses.

2021 NAIDOC Deadly Sportsperson of the Year Award.

In the past, Shane’s work has been recognised with a Canberra and Capital Region Tourism Award, and as a finalist in the Australian Tourism Awards.

Shane's workshops are perfect for school groups. Shane presenting to visiting students at Brungle Public School.