Event Schedule

10am-4.30pm, Make a friendship bracelet in the AGWA Concourse
1pm-3.30pm, Formal proceedings 
1pm, Welcome to Country – Barry McGuire
1.20pm, Introduction and story of Balga Waangkiny – Lilly Blue, AGWA Learning and Creativity Research Manager
1.30pm, Yarning Circle with artists Sharyn Egan and Ron Bradfield Jnr
4.30pm, Activities finish

About the artists

Sharyn Egan
Sharyn Egan is a Nyoongar woman whose arts practice began at the age of 37. The themes of Sharyn’s work are informed by the experiences of her life as a Nyoongar woman. Sharyn works in a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture and woven forms using traditional and contemporary fibres. Her woven works include traditionally styled contemporary forms and baskets, as well as sculptural forms often based on flora and fauna that has totemic significance for the Nyoongar people. She works predominantly in oils, ochres, resins and natural fibres exploring her experience growing up in New Norcia and commenting upon the associated trauma, emotions and a deep sense of loss and displacement experienced by Aboriginal people.

Ron Bradfield Jnr
Ron Bradfield Jnr is a saltwater man from Bardi Country, north of Broome but grew up in Geraldton, Western Australia! He now calls Whadjuk Boodjar (Perth) his home. As the CYO (Chief Yarning Officer) of Yarns R Us; Ron facilitates cultural conversations across all levels of our communities, helping Australians to revisit and explore their own personal stories - so as to better consider their own connections to this place - their home! Ron is also a storyteller and a maker of things; he has worked in and around the arts across remote, regional and metropolitan Western Australia for 15 years - often supporting the development of artists - as they explore the ways in which they can grow and share their creative practices.

Barry McGuire
Barry McGuire is a Balladong, Wadjuk, Noongar who is highly regarded as a public speaker, facilitator and negotiator. Barry has worked as a consultant and cultural advisor for Local, State, and Federal Government. In addition to his role as Managing Director of Redspear Safety and Chairman to Safespear Pty Ltd. He is currently a member of the cultural advisory board to the Chevron Corporation and he is a Director to the Spear Foundation a not for profit organisation providing cultural understanding and support to organisations working with the Aboriginal community in the metro areas. This allows him to exercise his passion for sharing cultural understanding and safety across all nations of Australia.