In saying that, my next job was as a Koori Educator in the local Warrnambool Primary Schools, supporting Aboriginal children within the school both culturally and academically for 10 years . During those years I got married and had two children. After working in retail for a few years I then joined Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative as a Koori Pre-school Assistant within the local Kindergartens in 2011. My role was to deliver culturally appropriate educational activities to all the students. Furthermore, I ran and facilitated a Koori Playgroup every Friday. All this made me tap into my creative side again after losing touch with it over such a busy time.
It wasn’t until 2014 that I could feel my creative nature calling me from deep within and I started to draw again. I had forgotten how much I loved it and how satisfying it was, although I was still pretty time poor and didn’t get to it as often as I would have liked.
It was in 2017 that I decided to enter an art competition entering an artwork that reflected Family Violence from a cultural perspective for a new Police Protocols Booklet focusing on Aboriginal Family Violence within our region and much to my surprise I won it. This then gave me the confidence and motivation to keep creating whenever I got the chance.
It has become very clear to me from the start of this year that all the things I have experienced in my life whether it be good or bad, it has shaped me to be where I am and who I am today. I am stronger in my identity and more resilient, embracing and honouring my aboriginality, feeling proud and spiritually connected to my ancestors and country. I include all of these elements within my creations and am passionate about making a difference.
Through the Early Years Education Resource, School Projects and my art, I will continue to spread awareness of Aboriginal culture to the newer generations.
By looking through my website I invite you to take time out and take a journey with me to connect to your sense of wonder.
Connect to your inner - child when you are out in nature. Feel your senses respond to Mother Earth.
Be curious. Look around you, touch, listen, smell, taste and awaken your spirit to the beauty that surrounds us every day, the beauty that we forget to experience and feel when we are busy and stressed.
Open yourself up again to connect to your sense of wonder.”