Yarrawarra Holiday Fun
These school holidays, Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre invites families, visitors and community members to come together for a rich program of cultural activities and a special new exhibition by local Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung artist Tori Ann Donnelly. It is a chance to connect with culture, enjoy hands-on experiences and spend time on Country in a space that celebrates creativity, learning and community.
Tori Ann Donnelly’s debut solo exhibition, Balawun.ga, gently peels back the layers of Gumbaynggirr history through a deeply respectful exploration of culture, storytelling on Country and the sacred knowledge held by plant kin. Central to the exhibition is the ancient melaleuca tree, or paperbark tea tree, which carries ancient stories from the past into the present and reminds us of the ongoing strength of Gumbaynggirr storytelling across generations. The exhibition invites visitors to slow down, listen and learn from the delicate layers of this powerful tree.
Tori is a core and valued member of the Yarra’ team, and 2026 marks a decade of her formal art practice. Her achievements include completing a Diploma of Visual Arts, receiving a Regional Arts NSW-funded professional mentorship with acclaimed Wiradjuri artist Karla Dickens, being nominated for the Aunty Grace Roberts Awards for Arts & Culture, and undertaking a prestigious artist residency at Bundanon.
Alongside the exhibition, this school holidays program includes four family-friendly workshops, two bush tucker and medicines tours for all ages, and two traditional water carrier workshops, with kids under 5 free. These experiences offer a welcoming way for families to learn, make, and share in cultural knowledge together. The annual Dream On! Festival, Music on the Grass, is also just around the corner — a free, family-friendly celebration of music, arts and culture.
Image: Tori Ann Donnelly (pictured) will be exhibiting her debut solo exhibition at the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre from October 3rd
