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Published by CompNet Systems on April 4, 2025

Yakarrn (Moon Dreaming)

Moon Dreaming. Two dingos started travelling, chasing the emu. Chase him all the way down. Blue ones are the lake and Lake stretch in Bililuna. I was born there. Lake Gregory (Barragu, Mussels in that water) Sturt River (Myarra, strong Camel).

Moon was directing the emu telling him the right way to go. Moon gave up and went up in the sky, emu was killed and creek formed.

The moon travelled from the east, he saw down below that the two dingoes were chasing an emu. The moon felt sorry for the emu, so he decided to help the emu. He called out to the emu and gave directions to keep him away from the two dingoes who were chasing him. The moon lead the emu to Lake Stretch, where finally the dingoes caught up to the emu. The emu struggled to run away, but the dingoes were eager to kill the emu, so they killed it. The dingoes fought over the emu as to who was going to eat it. Finally they both ate it. After that the moon dropped murungkut (little men) along the way. This is how Lake Stretch was formed.

Categories: Mangkaja Arts

Name: Lynley Marlingia Nargoodah

Language: Walmajarri

Biography:

“Growing up in and around Fitzroy Crossing I have learnt how important it is to keep stories alive from elders. From a very young age as we would make our way fishing and or hunting or whether is was around a campfire at night, stories would be told about the past, since working at Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency I was able to witness those stories come alive.

I’m Lynley Nargoodah a Nyikina/ Walmajarri woman from Fitzroy Crossing. As a mother of 5 kids sharing of stories is very important, it defines the past, shapes your future. I have been employed by Mangkaja Arts for many years as Curator, Gallery/Administrative Assistant and studio coordinator. In my role I assist staff, artist and families with day to day stuff.

“In 2016 I was involved with the Desert River Sea Kimberly Art Then & Now Visual Arts Leadership Program -Curating with Carly Lane Art Curator. Also I undertook AWEP (Arts Worker Extension Program) with ANKA, the programme has helped me to understand how important it is to conserve and look after our art works.

As an emerging artist, myself I think it’s very important for us to keep telling our stories so that our younger generation can keep the story going through art. One day my daughters will be able to paint the butterfly story as I paint it.

“Once the stories stop, it’s all gone we will have nothing to share and those places of significance will soon be forgotten."

Lynley has been a director and arts worker at Mangkaja for many years and continues to lead the organisation and assist in the training and engagement of young people at the centre. She recently curated “Janangoo” a series of paintings by Butcher Cherel for the 2020 Perth Festival at Fremantle Art Centre and was appointed to DAAF snd ANKA boards.

© the artist / art centre