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The perilous voyages of 18th century Dutch East India Company trading ships from Amsterdam to Indonesia's ‘spice islands' left a rich historical and cultural legacy that continues to link communities in The Netherlands, Australia and Indonesia - and UWA has turned that legacy into an enriching educational experience.

UWA's Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions (CHE) has used the Zuytdorp voyage, and the 300th anniversary of its wreck north of Kalbarri, to explore the history of global exploration and encounter in the region traversed by trading ships. Two previous Zest Festivals focused on links with The Netherlands (2012) and South Africa (2013).

The culture and cuisine of India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka contributed to the 2014 theme, The Colour of Ritual: the Spice of Life. Religion, philosophies and rituals surrounding birth, death, marriage and coming of age all featured in festival highlights that included an outdoor performance involving puppetry, music and dance. An education pack created by CHE was particularly welcomed by teachers, generating lesson ideas, Australian Curriculum links and informative historical content.

CHE's Professor Susan Broomhall says the Centre has worked closely with Kalbarri District High School over the past three years, with local families also becoming involved. This year, the Centre, in partnership with the Methodist Ladies College, gave Kalbarri students an appreciation of the complexities of playing ornate gamelan musical instruments.

"The students have relished visiting artistic workshops each year and having the opportunity to perform at open-air events," says Professor Broomhall. "By partnering with CHE, the knowledge and innovations created at Zest have enjoyed a far broader reach with project presentations in Canberra, The Hague, Budapest and Taiwan to date.

"Not only has the festival generated new scholarly publications and a new opportunity to enhance the Dutch-Australian relations, but it has had significant outcomes for the Kalbarri community, including its first Welcome to Country, relationship-building with Nhanda families and an increased appreciation of the place of our mid-west region in the history of global exploration and encounter."

The impressive Zest Festival Education Pack can be downloaded from historyofemotions.org.au/education-outreach/resources and for Kalbarri locals and visitors, the good news is that there will be more Zest in 2015.