Queensland woman revives Indigenous weaving traditions in Woorabinda

What started as a hobby has blossomed into a full-time business, leading Ms. Watson to resign from her previous employment earlier this year. “I found that it [my job] wasn’t filling my cup as much as I thought it would, which is why I chose to resign … [and] step into my business full time,” she explained.

Ms. Watson now hosts free weaving workshops in Woorabinda, a community located 170 kilometers southwest of Rockhampton in central Queensland. These workshops provide a valuable space for connection and cultural preservation. “It’s been very rewarding for myself, but also for the women, seeing the ladies come out … having my elders here and teaching them something, when they’ve been the one that has been teaching me,” she stated.

Annie Asse, a Mayi-Yapi woman and Woorabinda resident, described the workshops as a “good time out for us ladies to be together, a good yarning circle.” Bwgcolman woman Veronica Johnson, who recently relocated to Woorabinda from Palm Island, found the workshops to be a source of friendship and inspiration.

The practice of Indigenous weaving dates back tens of thousands of years, utilizing natural materials to create essential items. Ms. Watson emphasizes the importance of reconnecting with heritage. “Something I’m very passionate about is to help people reconnect to their roots, because that was something that I struggled with for so long, wanting to know who I was and where I came from,” she said.

Ms. Watson’s work also honors her Torres Strait Islander heritage, a significant aspect of her identity. She finds particular joy in sharing her skills with her two daughters, aged seven and 10, with her eldest recently completing a commissioned piece for a local health service.