Quinkans on Country

I am a Traditional Owner of the Shipton’s Flat and Jacks Lake areas. My Mother comes from Shipton’s Flat, which is South East of Cooktown, and Jacks Lake is my father’s land, North of Cooktown near Kalpowar.

I have lived in Cooktown for most of my life, going to school here and learning the traditional ways from my father and uncles.

I have been painting since my school days, using stories told to me by my elders as inspiration for my work. Connie and Helen Michael have been my teachers, helping me to understand the different styles of painting and how to bring my art alive. I like to tell my story of myself and my family taking care of country and sea through my paintings.

I work as a Ranger for Queensland Parks, which brings me into contact with other Indigenous Rangers and allows us to share traditional knowledge on how to care for the land and sea, bringing traditional practices forward to heal the land. I enjoy going bush to Cape Melville to work with their Land Trust Rangers. We often share stories told to us by our elders keeping the dreamtime alive.