About the Artist
Aunty Irene Norman – proud Wailwan/Djadjawurrung woman and Mullum Mullum Elder.

Winner of the Arts In Maroondah Resiliency Award in 2021 for reading her uplifting poetry on social media during Lockdown.

Aunty Irene teaches traditional weaving to community members and in schools. She has exhibited with The Koorie Heritage Trust, 69 Smith Street Gallery, Fitzroy, REALM at Eastlands and Federation Estate, Ringwood, and exhibited at the 2016 Archibald in Sydney. Aunty Irene has also published a book of poetry and her own various Artworks.

All three of her sons were players with the Alexandra Rebels. Matthew and Len Jenkins are still a part of the Alexandra Community, Kevin resides in Ferntree Gully and Aunty Irene is in Ringwood. She is very proud to be a part of the launch of the Indigenous Rebels Footy shirt and Netball dress, which she designed.

Aunty Irene is a cultural educator and Koorie Education Support collaborator who teaches in Australian history, Culture and Traditions within Primary and Secondary schools. She works with youth groups and holds cultural workshops with the Maroondah Council.

Aunty Irene is also a founding member of Yeng Gali Mullum Singers (previously the Mullum Mullum Choir) and writes some of the songs that the group sings.

She is, and has been on several Community Service Committees, where she gives important feedback for the improvement of services to the Aboriginal Community, including EACH CACCC and RAP, and Maroondah Council RAP.

About the Artwork
The sculpture describes the symbol of Land, Sky, Waterways, all Animals and all Humanity.

She is the mother of everything, and she looks after us if we listen and look to her.