Garby Elders Aboriginal Corporation in northern NSW have used a ‘Community and Place Grant’ from Aboriginal Affairs NSW to create artworks for a new Elders tent and vehicle to be used at community events. The artworks share stories about local Gumbaynggirr Culture.
Matt Merritt - AANSW Comms
Creating the artworks
Local school students worked with Gumbaynggirr artist Daniel Dootson in collaboration with the National Aboriginal Design Agency to help create artworks from the cultural stories that were told by Aunty Deb Dootson and Tony Dootson.
Neisha Donnelly, student from Corindi Beach Public School said, “Engaging with everyone and collaborating with other people was fun. It was really nice to see something I helped create is now able to be seen by other people.” Students from five schools – Corindi Beach Public School, Mullaway Public School, Woolgoolga High School, Woolgoolga Public School and Sandy Beach Public School – took part in the workshops.
Corindi Beach Public School student Kale Donnelly said, “My Mum does art and that is her talent, and I like to do art. Art lets you engage with people. Aunty Deb told us about her life and hearing that and now seeing my work I did with her, that makes me 100 percent proud today.”
Keeping Culture strong through art
Aunty Deb Dootson said, “It was an absolutely wonderful and emotional journey to be a part of this project to share our lived stories of growing up by the Pipeclay Lake at Corindi Beach.” “I sincerely hope that it is an inspiration to all our Mob to share and be proud of our Culture. Every moment was just magical but there is one thing that I would like to mention. That is the utmost importance of the word "Yaamagay" as it was a greeting my old people used when they sat under the paperbark tree not far from the Lake. “They would yarn and would greet each other with "Yaamagay". This word of greeting is very important to our family and I am so proud that it is showcased on the Garby Elders Tent and Vehicle in memory of our Elders.” “The tent space that has been created now tells a story and creates a yarning opportunity where we can talk more in depth about the artwork, the language, our cultural stories, our connection to country and our old people once people have taken a walkthrough.”
A new vehicle for Garby Elders
The Garby Elders also used the grant to purchase a new vehicle which is being used by Community to attend events. “We didn’t have a proper vehicle and a space of our own when we went out and showcased our culture,” Aunty Deb said on the launch day.
About Garby Elders Aboriginal Corporation
Garby Elders Aboriginal Corporation was officially registered in 2016 and continued to engage with many government, non-government and community organisations to raise awareness to protect and preserve Gumbaynggirr Culture. The group regularly attends local schools and events to share stories and knowledge to raise awareness of Culture.
An Aboriginal women’s group from Griffith embarked on a cultural tour of Aboriginal communities and sites across Wiradjuri Country earlier this year, with the support of a Cultural Grant from Aboriginal Affairs NSW. Applications are now open for Aboriginal Affairs NSW’s Cultural Grants 2024-2025. Grants between $500 and $20,000 are available for Aboriginal organisations across NSW to celebrate Aboriginal cultures.
