Worimi Conservation Lands
Worimi Conservation Lands Office
Creating professional opportunities for Worimi artists
Creating professional opportunities for Worimi artists
Malang Indigenous Corporation worked with the Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to bring local Aboriginal artists and community voices into the new office and depot building at Anna Bay.
Malang Indigenous Corporation worked with the Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service to bring local Aboriginal artists and community voices into the new office and depot building at Anna Bay.
The project sought artists with a connection to Worimi Country to create original artworks reflecting Country, waterways, family, partnership and the Worimi co-management story.
Malang coordinated the complete project, from the initial artist expression of interest and board selection process through to community consultation, artist mentoring, licensing, digital design, presentation and installation.
A community-led process
Malang developed and distributed the artist expression of interest, received the applications and prepared the eligible artists for presentation to the Worimi Conservation Lands Board of Management. This enabled the Board to select artists based on their connection to Worimi Country, cultural association, artistic practice and suitability for the project.
The selected artists then participated in a community concept-development workshop at Murrook Cultural Centre alongside Elders, knowledge holders and community representatives. The workshop developed shared cultural themes and ensured the artworks reflected community knowledge and the purpose of the new building.
Supporting four Worimi artists. Four artists were selected:
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Maddison Ridgeway
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Jason Russell
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Tia Manton
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Tyron Lane
Each artist was commissioned to create an original 1000 × 750 mm artwork and an accompanying cultural narrative. Malang supported the artists throughout the project, including:
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Artist briefing and onboarding
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Workshop planning and facilitation
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Development of concepts and cultural narratives
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Assistance with painting materials and artwork preparation
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Creative and professional mentoring
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Presentation of draft concepts to the Board
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Artist contracts and licensing arrangements
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Artwork documentation and artist profiles
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Digital artwork preparation
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Presentation and installation coordination
From original artwork to the built environment
Following completion of the original artworks, Malang worked with the artists to translate their designs into professional digital graphic packages. These packages included digital artwork files, individual design elements, artist profiles and approved cultural stories. Elements from the artists’ designs were applied as decals and other visual features throughout the new building, creating a strong and permanent cultural presence.
All four original artworks are displayed within the office and depot, ensuring the artists’ complete works and cultural narratives remain central to the project.
The project:
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Created paid professional opportunities for four artists connected to Worimi Country
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Provided separate payments for original artworks and licensed use
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Supported emerging and established artists through practical mentoring
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Centred local cultural knowledge in the design of the new building
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Produced four original artworks and associated cultural narratives
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Created adaptable digital packages for application throughout the building
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Established clear agreements governing the use of the artists’ work
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Installed all four original artworks within the completed building
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Integrated artwork elements as decals and visual features throughout the site
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Created an enduring representation of Worimi culture and co-management
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Demonstrated how Aboriginal artists can participate meaningfully in infrastructure and built-environment projects
The completed office and depot officially opened in April 2024.
Through this project, Malang created a bridge between artists, community, cultural knowledge holders and the organisations delivering the new building. The outcome was a culturally informed and professionally managed project that created immediate paid opportunities for artists and a lasting cultural presence within the completed facility
Worimi Conservation Lands
The opening of the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace on 11 September 2026 marks the completion of a major cultural design journey for Saretta Art & Design and the Aboriginal communities who helped shape the project.
Commissioned by Transport for NSW, Saretta Art & Design provided Aboriginal cultural, historical and artistic advisory services to help embed meaningful cultural interpretation within the motorway's urban design.
Led by Wonnarua artist Saretta Fielding, the project brought together cultural research, community consultation, on-Country learning and contemporary Aboriginal design. The resulting artworks share stories connected to the Hunter River, Hexham wetlands and the Aboriginal peoples who maintain enduring connections across this Country.
M1 to Raymond Terrace
Culture, Country and Connection
Led by Wonnarua artist Saretta Fielding, the project brought together cultural research, community consultation, on-Country learning and contemporary
Aboriginal design. The resulting artworks share stories connected to the Hunter River, Hexham wetlands and the Aboriginal peoples who maintain enduring connections across this Country.
The opening of the M1 Pacific Motorway Extension to Raymond Terrace on 11 September 2026 marks the completion of a major cultural design journey for Saretta Art & Design and the Aboriginal communities who helped shape the project.
Commissioned by Transport for NSW, Saretta Art & Design provided Aboriginal
cultural, historical and artistic advisory services to help embed meaningful
cultural interpretation within the motorway's urban design.
The 15-kilometre motorway travels from Black Hill to Raymond Terrace through a culturally and environmentally significant landscape shaped by the Hunter River and its surrounding waterways and wetlands.
Saretta Art & Design worked alongside Emeritus Professor John Maynard of the Purai Global Indigenous History Centre to research the cultural and historical values of the project area.
The cultural study focused particularly on the Pambalong clan of the Awabakal people, connected to Country south of the Hunter River, and the Garuagal clan of the Worimi people, connected to Country north of the river. Consultation also recognised the longstanding connections of Wonnarua people to the area through traditional life, movement, community relationships and the waterways of the Hunter.
This research provided the cultural foundation for the artwork and helped ensure the completed designs reflected the places, histories and communities connected to the motorway corridor.
Artist Together Program
Growing artists, strengthening pathways
The Malang Indigenous Hunter Artist Development Program was created to support Aboriginal artists from across the Hunter Region to develop their creative practice, strengthen their professional capabilities and access new opportunities.
Through individual goal setting, mentoring, cultural connection and practical business development, the program supported artists to build their profiles and explore pathways into exhibitions, commissions, public art, licensing and the wider creative marketplace.
Program activities included:
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Cultural immersion and connection on Country
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Artist vision and goal setting
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Development of artist profiles and biographies
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Small-business and commercial awareness
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Marketing and e-commerce development
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Introductions to industry specialists
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Networking and professional development
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Pathways to exhibitions, commissions and public art opportunities
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Industry-related training and qualifications
The program supported 12 participating artists, alongside Elders, collaborators and community art groups.
Professional pathways and outcomes.
Through Malang’s mentoring, partnerships and industry connections, participating artists accessed a range of professional opportunities:
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One artist was selected to contribute designs to the new John Hunter Hospital health infrastructure project, with the designs incorporated throughout the new development.
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An artist worked alongside Saretta Fielding on the Fernleigh Track project, contributing designs that were etched into cultural totem poles installed along the track.
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Two artists and Saretta Fielding were commissioned to create artwork for Stockland’s Sydney offices.
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One participant was selected to develop a bronze sculpture for future installation at the Toronto Foreshore.
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Four participating artists completed White Card training connected with the Rankin Park to Jesmond Bypass project, helping prepare them to work safely on construction sites and participate in future infrastructure and public-art projects.
University Gallery exhibition
The program culminated in the inaugural Malang – Indigenous Hunter Artists exhibition at the University Gallery from 30 May to 12 July 2025. The exhibition provided an important public platform for participating artists, Elders and community art groups to share contemporary cultural stories through painting, carving, digital media, sculpture, film, music and collaborative installations.
Presented across National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week, the exhibition celebrated the diversity of Aboriginal creative practice across the Hunter and introduced participating artists and their work to new audiences.
The program demonstrates Malang’s role in walking alongside Aboriginal artists, connecting creative practice with professional development, cultural integrity, industry readiness and meaningful economic opportunities. Delivered by Malang Indigenous Corporation with funding support from Aboriginal Affairs NSW.
Artwork Into Opportunity
Artist licensing and merchandise development
Since 2018, Malang has worked with Aboriginal artists from across australia to apply their artwork to merchandise developed.
Malang Indigenous Corporation works with Aboriginal artists, communities and organisations across Australia to translate original artwork into culturally respectful products and merchandise.
Malang connects organisations with appropriate artists, manages artwork and cultural-story approvals, establishes licensing arrangements and coordinates the design and production process.
This creates paid professional opportunities for artists while enabling organisations to share Aboriginal artwork and stories in a respectful and meaningful way.
How Malang supports artists
Depending on the needs of each project, Malang can:
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Identify and engage artists connected to the relevant Country or community
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Develop and manage artist calls and selection processes
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Establish artist agreements and licensing arrangements
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Support artists to prepare artwork and cultural narratives
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Translate original artwork into production-ready designs
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Prepare product mock-ups for artist and client approval
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Coordinate manufacturing and delivery
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Ensure artists and their artwork stories are appropriately acknowledged
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Seek further opportunities for artists’ designs to reach new audiences
Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association
Malang has worked with the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association since 2018 to incorporate Aboriginal artists’ designs into merchandise for its national conferences and activities.
The ongoing partnership has included conference tote bags, scrub caps and polo shirts featuring artwork connected to the conference, its location and the communities represented.
Malang works with AIDA to coordinate the artist engagement, artwork and cultural story, design development, approvals, production and delivery.
Recent examples include:
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Production of 400 conference tote bags in 2023
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Production of 530 tote bags in 2025 featuring Healing Community by Will Ngarru Towney
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Development of the 2026 conference tote bag featuring artwork by Noongar artist Peter Farmer
Peter Farmer’s 2026 design centres on the Karrak, an important Noongar totem, surrounded by Indigenous doctors, communities and journey lines representing knowledge, healing, wellbeing and better health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The eight-year AIDA relationship demonstrates how recurring organisational merchandise can create ongoing paid opportunities for Aboriginal artists while sharing their work and cultural stories with delegates from across Australia.
University of Newcastle graduation gifts
Malang has worked with the University of Newcastle to develop Aboriginal-designed commemorative gifts celebrating education, achievement and connection.
In 2021, Malang worked with Jasmine Miikika Craciun, a multimedia artist and graphic designer with Barkindji, Malyangapa, Romanian and Austrian heritage who resides on Gadigal Country.
Jasmine’s practice spans digital illustration, murals, animation, sculpture, textiles and installation. Her work explores identity, place, home and the experience of being connected to Country and community while geographically separated from them.
Jasmine’s artwork was adapted for 1,600 University of Newcastle graduation pins and 1,600 accompanying presentation cards.
The design represents Aboriginal students growing their knowledge, overcoming barriers and acting as role models for students beginning their educational journey. It also recognises the growth of Aboriginal-led research and the importance of Indigenous knowledge within education.
Malang worked with Jasmine to adapt her original design for the products without compromising its cultural story or meaning. Jasmine reviewed and approved the product proofs before production.
The project created a paid professional opportunity for an Aboriginal artist while enabling thousands of graduates to receive a commemorative gift carrying an authentic artwork and story.
Destination NSW
In 2022, Malang worked with Aboriginal artist Craig Layer to apply his artwork NSW The Sunrise State to merchandise developed for Destination NSW.
The project included:
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25 silk scarves
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10 pocket squares
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Custom product layouts and production-ready artwork
Malang coordinated the design adaptation, product mock-ups and client approval process.
The project enabled Craig’s artwork to be represented through high-quality wearable products and provided another example of how Aboriginal artwork can be respectfully applied in corporate and government settings.
Creating future opportunities
These projects demonstrate how original artworks can be translated into products without separating the designs from their artists, cultural stories or intended meaning.
Through artist engagement, licensing, design development and production coordination, Malang creates a practical bridge between Aboriginal artists and organisations seeking authentic artwork for merchandise, uniforms, commemorative gifts and other applications.
Malang continues to seek new partnerships that create sustainable and repeatable pathways for artists, providing income, professional experience and opportunities for their work to reach new audiences.
Through individual goal setting, mentoring, cultural connection and practical business development, the program supported artists to build their profiles and explore pathways into exhibitions, commissions, public art, licensing and the wider creative marketplace.
Program activities included:
-
Cultural immersion and connection on Country
-
Artist vision and goal setting
-
Development of artist profiles and biographies
-
Small-business and commercial awareness
-
Marketing and e-commerce development
-
Introductions to industry specialists
-
Networking and professional development
-
Pathways to exhibitions, commissions and public art opportunities
-
Industry-related training and qualifications
The program supported 12 participating artists, alongside Elders, collaborators and community art groups.
Professional pathways and outcomes
Through Malang’s mentoring, partnerships and industry connections, participating artists accessed a range of professional opportunities:
-
One artist was selected to contribute designs to the new John Hunter Hospital health infrastructure project, with the designs incorporated throughout the new development.
-
David Smith worked alongside Saretta Fielding on the Fernleigh Track project, contributing designs that were etched into cultural totem poles installed along the track.
-
Levi Fielding, David Smith and Saretta Fielding were commissioned to create artwork for Stockland’s Sydney offices.
-
David Smith was selected to develop a bronze sculpture for future installation at the Toronto Foreshore.
-
Four participating artists completed White Card training connected with the Rankin Park to Jesmond Bypass project, helping prepare them to work safely on construction sites and participate in future infrastructure and public-art projects.
University Gallery exhibition
The program culminated in the inaugural Malang – Indigenous Hunter Artists exhibition at the University Gallery from 30 May to 12 July 2025. The exhibition provided an important public platform for participating artists, Elders and community art groups to share contemporary cultural stories through painting, carving, digital media, sculpture, film, music and collaborative installations.
Presented across National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week, the exhibition celebrated the diversity of Aboriginal creative practice across the Hunter and introduced participating artists and their work to new audiences.
The program demonstrates Malang’s role in walking alongside Aboriginal artists—connecting creative practice with professional development, cultural integrity, industry readiness and meaningful economic opportunities. Delivered by Malang Indigenous Corporation with funding support from Aboriginal Affairs NSW.
community projects
Reconciliation Action Plan
Malang offers consultancy, project development and implementation strategies to local, national and international organisations.
ART WORKSHOPS
Connect, create and learn through Malang’s art workshops, led by First Nations artists. Our hands-on sessions bring people together to explore creativity, share stories and build cultural understanding in a welcoming environment. Contact us to discuss a workshop for your school, workplace or community group.
Aboriginal Conference & Events Cultural Stylising
Bring First Nations art and culture into your conference or event through Malang’s cultural styling. We work with Aboriginal artists to create meaningful visual elements that celebrate culture, connect with your audience and reflect the spirit of your event.