To celebrate NAIDOC week this year, Kiama Council is holding an exhibition with local Wodi Wodi women Aunty Jodie and Lila Stewart from the Dharawal nation at the Old Fire Station in Kiama from Friday 11 July to Wednesday 16 July.

Whilst exhibiting their artworks and traditional pieces, this is also the chance for the community of the Kiama region to engage and connect with the longest living culture during NAIDOC week.

“We’re excited about showcasing and selling our stuff, but also delivering the workshops for the community,” Aunty Jodie said.

“There are four workshops - two on Saturday and two on Sunday.

“There is going to be a sign out the front (for the workshops), if you wanted to do any of the workshops, put your name down so we can get a number of how many people.”

Aunty Jodie sees the connection from the greater community with Indigenous culture is through engagement.

“Join Aboriginal people and sit with them and yarn,” Aunty Jodie said.

“Talking about yarns and culture and history, gets everyone on the same page.

“Art is the most formal thing of all because people look at colours and that’s what draws them in.”

When talking about where they gain their inspiration from, Aunty Jodie reflects on her upbringing.

“When you are growing up by the sea, living between the mountains, I have lots of different stories,” Aunty Jodie said.

“Every Aboriginal person has their own tribes and languages; I got all my information (which) I collated from the Dharawal and Yuin nations.”

For Aunty Lila, paintbrushes are not her forte, with her talent and storytelling transmitted through the craft side of Aboriginal culture.

“I do weaving and Aunty Phyllis Stewart showed me how to start it all off,” Aunty Lila said.

“I watched her a little bit and then I just sat one day, and I thought, I am going to start doing some weaving and I started making earrings.

“I find it very therapeutic.”

Speaking on the strengths of Aboriginal culture, both Aunty Jodie and Aunty Lila agree that teaching the younger generation and kinship are significant pillars within culture.

“They need the knowledge, and they need to know about their identity,” Aunty Jodie said.

“I love teaching the younger generations about culture, about knowledge, about dreamtime stories, about living from the past to where we are now.

“How you can transform a creative story onto a canvas, that is how I do a lot of the story telling.”

This exhibition and workshops at The Old Fire Station is part of Kiama Council’s celebration of NAIDOC week, “recognising and honouring the rich traditions, creativity and voices.” 

Later this month on 26 July, the Local Government Regional NAIDOC Awards are being hosted by Shellharbour City Council at the Shellharbour Civic Centre.

The awards are collaboratively organised by Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama, and Shoalhaven Councils “recognising the talents, achievements and outstanding contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make to improve the lives of people in their communities and beyond.”

The theme for NAIDOC week this year is The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy and marks 50 years of a legacy celebrating NAIDOC week.

For more information head to www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Events/Exhibitions-at-The-Old-Fire-Station/NAIDOC-Week-art-exhibition