A strong community representation celebrated the unveiling of an artwork series in Moama. Photos: Aidan Briggs
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
A new artwork series at Dhungala Bridge, Moama, was unveiled at a community event on Thursday, September 19.
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The piece, which comprises three steel panels, was designed and created by Yorta Yorta Elder Uncle Wayne Firebrace, with support from his late brother Brian Firebrace.
Uncle Wayne performed a Welcome to Country ceremony at the site for guests, including Aboriginal Elders, Moama Public School students, representatives from Transport for NSW and Murray River Council.
Uncle Wayne introduced the artwork, explaining the inspiration behind the piece; the native fauna found in the region, including kangaroos and emus, or gaiyimarr and bigarrumdja in Yorta Yorta, critical to the diet and lifestyle of his ancestors.
“Our ancestors hunted and gathered the animals in the artwork,” he said.
“They lived on those foods; that food is still here today.
“They also knew and believed that this bush tucker was healthy for them for their survival.”
The piece is inspired by the native fauna found in the area, designed by Yorta Yorta Elder Uncle Wayne Firebrace.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
The Yorta Yorta totem, the long-necked turtle, or bayadherra, is also featured, along with cod, or nanga, crayfish, or borpa, and platypus, or wanagapipuwa.
Uncle Wayne also looked to honour his brother, Brian, through the work, who is credited along with Uncle Wayne on the left panel.
“I used some of his artwork (in the panels) instead of leaving it there to rot away and collect dust,” he said.
“On behalf of my brother, I honour him and acknowledge his artwork in this project.
“We, the Aboriginal people, can’t express ourselves through white man’s words, but artwork is just as good.”
Moama Local Aboriginal Land Council chief executive Latoya Morgan, Uncle Wayne Firebrace and Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation chief executive John Kerr.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation chief executive John Kerr reflected on the importance of this addition for the local First Nations people, providing an acknowledgement that he feels has been missing.
“This artwork is going to stand here for a lot of years,” he said.
“It is going to give our culture and our people a representation in our community that really hasn’t been here before.”
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