Bush Bay Memories

I was born in Carnarvon, my parents are Steven Kelly & Dawn Hamlett (nee- Flanagan). My language groups are Wajarri (Mother’s side) & Nhanda (Father’s side) I grew  up between Carnarvon & Mullewa (where my mother is from). My father Steven worked on many Stations & Farms near Mullewa & surrounding areas of  Carnarvon. So my siblings and I lived a “Bush Life” as kids. When we were in Mullewa we ate the bush tucker  such as the kangaroo, goanna, emu etc. and when we came to Carnarvon we ate the food from the ocean after many fishing adventures  with Aunty Dulcie Barney. (R.I.P). I remember when we moved into town into a State Housing house, my Mother gave me these shiny objects in my hand and I said to her “What is this?”, she told me to go for a walk with my cousins to town and they showed me how  to trade the shiny objects to get an ice-cream. I didn’t know  what money was, but I soon learned quickly.
The Kelly Family come from “Nhanda Country” – Northampton/Kalbarri area.I am back in Carnarvon again to stay for a while, it’s always good to come back. My Father Steven Kelly is still living here. My brother’s & sisters always come back for a visit.
I like to paint stories from my life events and places I have been. I am also a Photographer, I like taking pictures of  the “Bush”, Nature and Landscapes.
Some of my Artwork has been in Exhibitions in Geraldton. My artwork was also in the  “Nganang Badimaya Wangga” Exhibition in 2017. (Stories told from Elder Ollie George( R.I.P.)
While employed by the Irra Wangga Language Centre in Geraldton I have also illustrated Posters, and books.