Artist and Elder collaborate to preserve language and protect wildlife

A UNIQUE collaboration between Nambucca Heads artist and educator Susie Peake and Gumbaynggirr elder Gary Williams, has resulted in an educational children’s book.

“Birds and Animals of the Nambucca Valley” is a wildlife awareness activity book created to introduce local children to the region’s animals and their traditional Gumbaynggirr names.

It is designed to spark curiosity about native wildlife, promote an interest in habitat preservation and keep Indigenous language alive.

It features detailed illustrations by Susie, who has over 25 years of experience in wildlife education and illustration.

While she has created many similar books in the past to support wildlife awareness and education, this is the first time she’s focused specifically on the Nambucca Valley.

“I realised I hadn’t yet made a book about my own local area,” Susie told News Of The Area.

“And I also wanted to make sure the animals’ Gumbaynggirr names were included.”

To achieve this, she reached out to Gary Williams, CEO of the Muurrbay Aboriginal Language and Culture Co-operative, who generously worked with Susie to ensure the animals were named accurately.

Together, they consulted the Gumbaynggirr dictionary and cultural records to identify correct names although, sadly, some names have been lost over time.

For Gary, the book is a powerful tool for cultural preservation.

“If children learn the language, it’s not lost,” he told NOTA.

“This book reinforces the language that most of our local schools are teaching the kids and connects it to Country.”

The book goes beyond naming animals.

It includes colouring-in activities, quizzes, and facts about the unique habitats many species rely on to survive.

One key message is the importance of tree hollows, critical shelter for gliders, owls, and other native mammals.

“It can take 200 years for a tree to form a hollow,” added Susie.

“Once they’re gone, they’re gone.”

The Nambucca Valley is home to the Greater Glider and Feathertail Glider; nocturnal, tree-dwelling marsupials not often seen but vital to the local ecosystem.

Susie hopes the book will inspire children and families to become habitat protectors.

“We have the responsibility to care for the land, the trees and the water that sustains us and that we share with all living things,” she said.

Birds and Animals of the Nambucca Valley is available at the Galleria CC in Macksville, Artspace Gallery Urunga, Nambucca Valley Phoenix in Bowraville, the Nambucca Heads Newsagency, and the Red Cross Craft Shop in Nambucca Heads.

To find out more you can contact Susie Peake directly by emailing her at sjpeake@yahoo.com.

By Mick BIRTLES