Galah cockatoo waaa8/12/2023 ![]() ![]() Gamilaroi people have always been great weavers and our (YM’s) inspiration from the beginning still remains with us now. It ensures that our stories can be shared without a negative impact on our environment, following in our ancestors’ footsteps by exercising care, reciprocity and respect.Īmy: Yinarr Maramali was created by us (yinarr) coming together to sit, weave and spin a yarn. We use natural materials that are collected by hand and sustainably sourced on Country to create our weavings and artworks. We are proud to have a space for younger generations to learn, share their stories and explore their many creative talents. Yinarr Maramali feels like a responsibility to ensure Gomeroi yinarr (women) and miyay (girls) in our community have the opportunity to access their cultural knowledge and stories in a safe and supportive environment. Lorrelle: The inspiration for Yinarr Maramali came from wanting to create a space for Gomeroi yinarr to support the wellbeing of our Community and Country through the continuation of Gomeroi weaving culture. What is the inspiration behind Yinarr Maramali? It is still one of my favourite woven pieces, as it began a journey for me that has been inspiring, loving, and healing. Amy taught me how to weave using the coiling stitch and I created my first basket that day using beautiful sky-blue colours. I had seen photos and stories of weavers, but I didn’t have the opportunity to learn it while growing up. I visited her home and Amy was weaving an eel trap using Lomandra grasses and it was so beautiful. Lorrelle: I learnt how to weave from Amy back in 2013, after we had become friends. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Manyi and acknowledge the impact she’s made on our communities. I remember how good we all felt after seeing what we had created, by coming together. When the workshops finished, images of our hands and weaving were showcased on banners that were flown on Gadigal Country, down Redfern Street in Sydney. I was assisting Manyi with weaving workshops and I didn’t know how much of an impact these workshops would have on me – it was a really significant project. Manyi taught me how to make a coil basket, which I started while I was working as the Cultural Programs and Company Manager for Bangarra Dance Theatre. The first stitch I ever wove was yellow, taught to me by a very beautiful and generous Yolngu woman, my Manyi Kathy Marika. I gain so much strength from my family and I am the proud granddaughter of Rosemary Combo, and Bulla Blair who I thank for their love, support and values given to me.Īmy: Heartbreakingly, I didn’t grow up knowing how to weave. I am passionate about my family, culture, community and country, and have been continuing to learn and share Gomeroi weaving culture within our Community for the past eight years. ![]() Lorrelle: I’m Lorrelle Munro (Kennedy), a proud Gomeroi yinarr and mother of three who was born and raised in Tamworth/Moonbi. ![]() In addition to Lorrelle and myself, the Yinarr Maramali core Weavers are Bronwyn Spearim and Rachael Phillips (Craigie) who were born in Moree, raised between there and Tamworth, and Sophie and Emily Honess who were born and raised in Tamworth. This was an unforgettable time in my life and now I share Stories through weaving as the Co-founder, Director and Weaver at Yinarr Maramali (YM). I spent a lot of time on tour sharing Stories across many First Nations and around the world. I trained in technical production at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and worked for a decade in blak theatre, community festivals and events, and supporting other blakfullas to share their Stories in the performing arts. My family connections run across many Gamilaroi, Wailwan and Wiradjuri communities. I’m the eldest granddaughter of a beautiful, caring and proud Mehi woman named Yvonne Hammond and a bus-drivin’, storytellin’ Gulargambone man named Ronald “Spoto” Hammond. I spent most of my childhood growing up on Wiradjuri Country in Wellington. Our bags are on Gadigal Country and we pay respect to their Elders past and present who have cared and still care for their Country.Īmy: Yaama, I’m Amy Hammond, a Gamilaroi yinarr and mother born in Moree. Yaama yaaminday Gadigal walaay-baa-ga ngiyanigu gulay winun-ngulla-waa yillumbul murri maaru mala ngalay dhawan. ![]()
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