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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The JNC acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work, the Gadigal and Bidjigal People of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that these lands always were and always will be Aboriginal lands. We celebrate First Nations Peoples’ connection to the land and recognise the importance of Indigenous voices and culture. We would like to advise that there may be images or videos on this website of people who have since passed.

Women’s Space Celebration

28/10/2025 in Creative GroupsEventsWell-beingWorkshops

We started our Women’s Space in June 2024, to create a safe and supportive space for women to share and weave together the stories of their lives. Building on the creative interests in the group, we applied for a Randwick City Council grant to create a series of workshops led by local emerging and established artists and elders. With this Community Creative grant, this space became an opportunity for the women to not only come together and learn new artistic skills, but more importantly, a space for them to share their knowledge, build friendships, and reduce social isolation.

Over the weeks, with the support of the facilitators, the women have been able to share knowledge and culture, hearing each other’s voices and creating new connections, as well as amazing artworks.

In early October we gathered to celebrate the hard work and creativity of JNC’s Women’s Space Group over the past 6 months.

“Coming out of an isolating situation, the women just want to connect and not judge, which has been healing and I feel safe around them.” – JNC Women’s Space Participant

Together the women and Bambi, our First Nations Families Caseworker, laid out each other’s artworks, grouped by themes. This act may seem small, but it was a powerful display of understanding one another and creating a space of safety and security. There was a sense of trust as everyone handled one another’s artworks and understood where everything belonged without having to discuss it.

As our guests arrived, the display had perfectly fallen into place, representing a journey of the past five months.

I experienced healing through the art mindfulness sessions. It was therapeutic. – JNC’s Women’s Space Participant

The formalities of the day included a Welcome from Aunty Maxine Ryan, speeches from JNC CEO, Janet Green, and Randwick Councillor, Marea Wilson, moving talks from three of the group’s participants, and an award ceremony. This was a chance for the women to celebrate their work with family, friends, and JNC team members. For many, it may have been one of the first times in a long time that they were congratulated in a formal environment.

“Making connections was really nice. I got to know the women, and we support each other. The connections I made helped me deal with grief and foster a sense of community.” – JNC’s Women’s Space Participant

As we wrapped up the formalities, staff, artists, and guests viewed artworks consisting of Photographs, Aboriginal Weaving, Poetry, Collaborative Paintings, Nature Mobiles, and Collages. These works all represented the journey that the women had been on to connect with local cultural knowledge and nature. A clear theme across all mediums was the confidence gained to discover each artist’s individual and authentic voice.

It was moving to see women of all ages, with our youngest guest at four years old, connecting to the stories that were presented before us.

Women’s Space is bigger than a fortnightly meet up facilitated by JNC. Our workers are part of the community that has been formed and support the women to facilitate and create their own sessions. Bambi and Salote, the JNC workers who contribute to this group, both shared that as we finalised this event and celebration, the women will be heavily involved in the development of what this group will become in the future.