Manchester Museum has returned 174 cultural items belonging to an Australian Aboriginal community back to them this week.
Manchester Museum – which officially reopened back in February after a two-year £15 million transformation project – has been working collaboratively with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and the Anindilyakwa Land Council over the last three years to determine where these items should live, and where they would stand the best chance of “inspiring future generations”.
It was decided that this would be within the communities of their origin.
The Museum says building “a greater understanding and empathy between cultures” is central to its mission, and in this, it’s committed to the “unconditional return” of collections and belongings to origin communities as important way of creating a more “equitable and hopeful future” for museums.
Manchester Museum has returned 174 cultural heritage items to Australian Aboriginal communities / Credit: Chris Bull (via Manchester Museum)
It follows in a 20-year history of returning items to Indigenous communities, and is guided by Manchester Museum’s values of “inclusivity, imagination, and care”, which it says is “underpinned” by the University of Manchester‘s own commitment to social responsibility.
The Museum says it takes great pride in working together with relevant Indigenous communities to tell their stories in “different” ways.
And so, continuing on with mission, earlier this week, a delegation from the Aboriginal Anindilyakwa community of Groote Eylandt – which is an island located approximately 50km from the north coast of mainland Australia in the Northern Territory – joined staff at Manchester Museum.
The community delegates were present for the formal return of the 174 cultural heritage items that were previously in the Museum’s possession.
This morning we celebrated the return of 174 cultural heritage items to the Anindilyakwa People.
Georgina Young, Head of Exhibitions and Collections at Manchester Museum, talks about why this repatriation is so special & what events we have on this week. pic.twitter.com/92ScqSzIay
One of the highlights of the collection that was returned is a group of dolls made from shells – Dadikwakwa-kwa in the Anindilyakwa language – which have not only unlocked a rich cultural history, but also inspired the Dadikwakwa-kwa Project led by ten talented women artists from Anindilyakwa Art Centre.
Two of the artists, senior elder Noeleen Lalara and emerging leader Maicie Lalara, were a part of the delegation of Anindilyakwa women that will be present at Manchester Museum for the handover, alongside emerging leader Amethea Mamarika.
The Dadikwakwa-kwa Project was partly-inspired by the conversations that took place with Amethea’s grandmother (Old Lady Edith Mamarika) on Groote Eylandt around her memories of the shell dolls now being returned.
Traditionally painted by parents for their daughters using intricate ochre designs, they have helped to strengthen cross-generational bonds within the Anindilyakwa community.
Some of the items that have been returned to the Aboriginal Anindilyakwa community / Credit: Manchester Museum
The Museum says the return of these items is already supporting Anindilyakwa in “cultural strengthening” and “revitalisation” – with descendant generations using the items to connect with their heritage.
Speaking as the items were returned, Georgina Young, who is the Head of Exhibitions and Collections, Manchester Museum, said: “Having spent time on Groote Eylandt at the invitation of the Anindilyakwa People makes reaching this point of handover feel momentous in a different way to any of Manchester Museum’s past returns.
Sitting with Elders and hearing them discuss this collection on their land in their terms has enabled me to understand and care in ways not possible in a store room in Manchester, and brought us to a place of understanding together.
“We are excited by all that this return makes possible in terms of future partnership, but more so by how it supports Anindilyakwa cultural strengthening for years to come.”
Stephen Smith, who is the Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, has also praised the Museum for the items’ return, adding: “The return of these significant cultural heritage items is important for Australia’s reconciliation process.
“It also helps renew cultural practices and safeguard such practices and items for future generations.”
Featured Image – Manchester Museum
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Viral beauty retailer Sephora announces Manchester Arndale opening day plans
Thomas Melia
Viral beauty stockist Sephora has announced the schedule ahead of new Manchester Arndale site’s opening day.
Known for stocking some of the world’s biggest beauty brands, including Sol De Janeiro Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez, Fenty, Huda Beauty, and more, Sephora is making its Manchester Arndale debut this week, and opening day plans have been confirmed.
After opening its first Manchester site inside the Trafford Centre last year, the cosmetics retailer is now really making its mark on Manchester city centre.
Ahead of its new launch inside one of Manchester’s biggest shopping centres, with a almost 5,000 sq ft site inside the Arndale, Sephora is expected to attract huge queues, so the retailer has issued a statement detailing its plans ahead of the opening day.
Sephora has announced plans ahead of its big Manchester Arndale launch event / Credit: The Manc Group
The opening day is this Friday (1 August) from 10am, and from this date, you’ll be able to get your hands on all their glorious goodies and brands.
If you’re eager to be one of the first people to browse this beauty shop and its massive product range, you’ll be able to queue beforehand – with entertainment on the day from 8am, and the opening ceremony from 9:30am.
Similarly to the brand’s Trafford Centre launch, there will be a range of activities, including an appearance from Drag King Don One, DJ sets, Spin the Wheel, and Sephora’s iconic viral gift bags.
These gift bags have become highly-sought-after due to the sheer amount of big names and top quality products you can find inside, and there’ll be 800 of these prized possessions given away throughout the weekend.
This time, however, the cosmetics retailer is trialling a new approach, with anyone who makes an in-store purchase receiving a ‘Sephora Beauty Bonus Card’ which gives you access to goodies and offers without queuing.
You’ll be in with the chance of winning a goodie bag, a mystery lucky dip for a full-sized product, Benefit Wax and Tint Brow Service, 30-minute makeover opportunity, exclusive merchandise, and a 10% off code for the Manchester Arndale Sephora shop.
The viral beauty brand Sephora will be giving away 800 goodie bag at its big Manchester Arndale launch event / Credit: The Manc Group
Sephora will be stocking more than 135 brands, as well as a curation of products that are exclusive to its UK locations.
Sarah Boyd, Managing Director of Sephora UK, commented: “We’ve been blown away by the energy and support from our community at every store opening since our first in 2023.
“This new approach means even more customers can enjoy the fun and walk away with a surprise without needing to arrive hours before doors open. It’s about putting customer wellbeing first, while still celebrating in true Sephora style”.
Sephora is opening at Manchester Arndale on Friday 1 August, with entertainment starting from 8am, the official opening ceremony commencing from 9:30am, and the store opening at 10am.
Aldi becomes first UK supermarket to introduce new ‘£13 rule’ from September
Emily Sergeant
Aldi is set to become the first supermarket to pay staff working in its stores across the UK at least £13 an hour.
The budget supermarket retailer’s new minimum rate – which increases to £14.33 within the M25 – will officially take effect from 1 September 2025, and is set to further exceed the Real Living Wage of £12.60 an hour that was set by the Living Wage Foundation in October last year.
At present, Store Assistants at Aldi are currently paid a minimum of £12.75 an hour nationwide, but that is set to change in the autumn.
As well as the standard £13 hourly rate, Store Assistants’ pay will be subject to further rises depending on their length of service – meaning they’ll get £13.93 nationally, and £14.64 within the M25.
Aldi becomes first UK supermarket to introduce new ‘£13 rule’ from September / Credit: Aldi
The news that Aldi will become the UK’s first supermarket to pay colleagues £13 an hour follows the retailer’s impressive achievement of being named the Employer of the Year at The Grocer Gold Awards – where it was recognised for its competitive pay, investment in training, and its focus on diversity and inclusion.
Aldi is also the only retailer to offer all colleagues paid breaks too, on top of their hourly rate or salary, which is worth approximately £1,385 a year for the average store colleague.
“Our people are the driving force behind our success across the UK,” commented Giles Hurley, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland.
Emily Sergeant -
6th September 2023 
