Aboriginal Heritage

I have been popping in and out of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria to paint Den Fisher who has lead Aboriginal Heritage Walks for the past seven years.

As a frequenter of the gardens I was thrilled to see a new planting of the Sacred Lotus - Nelumbo nucifera in glorious flower in the lake earlier this year.  I started chatting to Den about it and my paintings and he suggested I paint him. 

About that time a friend suggested I participate in Robin Eley’s oil painting workshop.   As I painted the class exercise, Den seemed to step out from the page – so I went and asked him to sit for me.

Den is a very spiritual man.  When asked what he loves about the job, he told me that the spirits have given him this job and a local radio job and he could ask for no more.  He is called to strengthen aboriginal culture, especially respect for women and to help young people. Leading the walks helps him to connect people to the land.  I feel strongly that we need to learn more about First Nation heritage to bring it into our lives in a meaningful way.

Den's friend and coworker Ben supports our painting get together’s and other staff are enjoying seeing the painting unfold.  The painting is full of little messages that tell me we are on the right track.  An aboriginal man working to bring traditional heritage to today’s world is a strong constructive message for the future.  Thanks Den and Ben.

Lucky   Country

Who owns this country?

Where do they come from?

 Are they Australians?

Are they Poms?

 What did they bring here?

What do they speak?

 Do they speak English?

Do they speak Greek?

 They bring trouble

They bring guns

 Shoot you dead

You’re nothing but a bum

 They say you’re a no hoper

You’re no good

 You’re just nothing

You’re just a boong

 Where can we go?

Where can we stay?

 Stand up and fight

Kneel down and pray

 We have to do something

We have to together

 We can’t do it alone

We can make it better

 So, come on you people

Let’s come as one

 Bring your family

Children, Dad and Mum

 Bring all your friends

Bring all your relations

 This is what we call!

R e c o n c i l i a t i o n.

© Den The Fish.