Lifetime of leadership brings awards for Lily

Brewarrina’s own Lily Shearer has been honoured with one of the highest recognitions in Australian arts and culture – the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cultural Advocacy and Leadership.

The Murrawarri/Ngemba woman, who is Artistic Director of the Baiame’s Ngunnhu Festival and Co-Founder of Moogahlin Performing Arts, received the award at a moving ceremony at the Art Gallery of New South Wales hosted by Creative Australia.

“They changed it up this year. It was absolutely beautiful,” Lily said. “We had the opportunity to view the Aboriginal exhibition beforehand and then went down to the new part of the gallery where we were welcomed with song by two Muruwari men.”

The evening continued with a sit-down meal and formal proceedings.

“It was so different from the old days where you’d just stand and mingle. It was really special,” Ms Shearer said.

Despite four decades of tireless work in First People’s cultural development and performance, Ms Shearer said the recognition came as a shock. […]

Read more local news in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

To subscribe call (02) 6872 2333 today and receive The Western Herald in your letterbox next week!

Brewarrina’s Lily Shearer has received major recognition for her work in the arts. Photo TWH