Ngarrindjeri Elder Ellen Trevorrow will be weaving and yarning online with Elders and young people in Bourke as part of the Yarning Online OnCountry project.
Aunty Ellen is a world-renowned artist and cultural weaver. Her woven works and sculptures are exhibited around the world.
She leads weaving and cultural storytelling workshops in collaboration with Jelina Haines on the Ngarrindjeri Country at Camp Coorong in South Australia. For this project, though, she will be Online On Country.
“We are very excited and grateful that Aunty Ellen will join us Online OnCountry,” said Lorina Barker, Yarning Online OnCountry Project Manager.
“She is a Senior Knowledge Holder, highly regarded artist and weaver. The opportunity to meet and learn from Aunty Ellen is very special.”
The Yarning Online OnCountry project began in August. Since then, Elders and others in the Bourke community who have a shared history and experience, have been gathering weekly in small, socially distanced groups in Bourke – and via zoom.
“The online creative workshops aim to improve Elders’ health and wellbeing by minimizing the impacts of social isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions,” Dr Barker said.
“Importantly, though, the workshops are providing a culturally safe place for sharing knowledge, stories and skills – enabling the transference of cultural knowledge between Elders and extended family.”
‘Yarning Online OnCountry’ has been created in partnership between Community and Taragara Aboriginal Corporation. This project is funded by the NSW Government through Create NSW. It has received funding from Western Local Land Services NSW and is supported by the University of New England.
Special thanks to local partners Maranguka Community Hub, Bourke Aboriginal Health Service and Morralls Bakery for their support of this project.
Taragara 