Enhancing learning through the arts

The late Dr Nele (Cornelia) Findlay credits her mother, who would take Nele and her siblings for long walks in the lower Swiss Alps, for instilling in her a strong appreciation for the natural world.

After completing her PhD in plant physiology at Melbourne University, Nele moved to Adelaide when her husband Geoff Findlay took up an academic post at the Flinders School of Biological Sciences. She worked in the School herself tutoring students in practical skills including electron microscopy.

Nele lived within walking distance of the Bedford Park campus and in retirement was an active conservationist. She dedicated over 20 years of her time and expertise to the local conservation group, Friends of Warriparinga.

Her legacy lives on in the form of a valuable teaching resource in the University. In 2014 a collection of 29 works of art were bequeathed by her estate to Flinders University Museum of Art. The collection includes 15 bark paintings from Arnhem Land, as well as functional and ceremonial objects from the Pacific Islands.

Nele’s generous bequest significantly enhances our holdings of Indigenous art from the Top End region of Australia, and contributes immensely to the collection as a unique and valuable educational resource.

^{Yirawala (attributed) (Australian, Kunwinjku). Born c1897 Northern Territory, died 1976 Croker Island, West Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Untitled, undated, circa mid 20th century, natural pigments on bark 17 x 31 cm. Gift of Dr Cornelia Findlay, Flinders University Museum of Art 4840. Image © Estate of the artist / licensed by Aboriginal Artists Agency Ltd 2016.}