Weaving culture and connection for reconciliation
‘You can make anything from hay,’ says master weaver Aunty Bronwyn Razem.
At a drop-in weaving session at Footscray Hospital, staff gathered around as Aunty Bronwyn demonstrated her craft.
She gently shaped hay into a simple form, then wrapped it in soft wool. In just 15 minutes, it became a small kangaroo.
Aunty Bronwyn is a Gunditjmara woman from the Kirrae Whurrong clan in western Victoria. She learned to weave from her mother, who learned from her own mother.
A weaver who trained in the Northern Territory taught her how to make bush animals.
Weaving is an important cultural practice. It connects people to storytelling, identity and Country (land and place).
The session was one of several activities held across Western Health during Reconciliation Week.
Aunty Bronwyn is an award-winning artist. She is known for reviving traditional woven eel traps. Her work is held in the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.
‘I enjoy watching people try weaving,’ she says. “Many people say, ‘I can’t do this’, but then they surprise themselves.”
Staff created many different animals during the workshop, including goannas, snakes, kangaroos, wombats, frogs, crocodiles, and even cats.
Some animals were quick to make, while others were more complex. Many staff chose animals that reflected their culture, their experiences, or something meaningful to them. The session gave people a chance to learn, connect, and share.
Acting Director of Best Experience Eugenia Lambis made a snake using bright rainbow wool. ‘Watching Aunty demonstrate the weaving and then having the chance to try it was really grounding,’ she says.
The session was organised by Chris Delamont, Manager of Cultural Safety and Best Experience Training, to bring staff together and support learning about culture.
The animals created during the session will be displayed in the Marra Wilam space at Footscray Hospital. They will stand as a reminder of the importance of culture, connection, and learning from each other.