This basket is woven in a deep brown dye, representing Mother Earth and the strength and grounding she provides. Resting on the side of the basket is a stone placed upon the bark from the Sydney Red Gum tree, symbolising connection to land, ancestry, and the life that continues to grow from Country. Together, these elements reflect balance, renewal, and the enduring relationship between people, culture, and the earth.
Name: Debbie Callister
Community: Ballarat
Biography:
Debbie is a proud Wiradjuri woman who has dedicated her entire working life to supporting and uplifting Aboriginal communities. Growing up on Country, she was taught cultural knowledge by her Elders through storytelling, weaving, painting, and woodburning—practices that shaped her identity and continue to guide her today.
Her deep connection to the Lachlan River and the Murrumbidgee River is central to her cultural journey. It was along these waterways that she learned the symbols, stories, and teachings of her people—knowledge she now passes on to her children and grandchildren.
Through her artwork, Debbie maintains a living connection to her ancestors and her culture. Every piece she creates is an act of respect and gratitude to those who taught her, shared their wisdom, and entrusted her with cultural knowledge. Her art ensures these teachings continue to flow to future generations, keeping culture strong and alive.
Summer skies, Cockatoo song This piece reminds me of the soft glow of summer evenings. The cockatoo feathers are a reminder of the guardians of the garden, with their calls filling the air, their presence Read more…
Quiet Yarns Three figures sit together on country, holding space in their own quiet way. No words needed- just stillness, connection and the comfort of being together in circle