‘The reason I concentrated on Lake George is that it has been a major waterhole and meeting place for Aboriginal people for thousands of years. I wanted to paint about the significance of the lake in ochres, highlighting its importance to the nearby tribes, the Wiradjuri, Ngarigu, Yuin, Gundungurra and Ngunnawal people, as a place of ceremony and gathering. I collected the ochres back on my Country near Dubbo and received permission to use them on this Country. This lake is still a significant waterhole, the way it rises and falls. As a kid I remember seeing it dried up and full, flooding over the highway.’ - Artist's statement.

Duncan Smith

Duncan Smith OAM (Wiradjuri people), artist and cultural performer, made this painting for his exhibition Reflection of Country in 2012. Through art, dance and music, Smith has been an active mentor, teacher and leader in the community. He established Wiradjuri Echoes in 1998 to share Aboriginal culture through dance, song, art and storytelling. Smith won the Senior Citizen Centre Award for sharing culture in 2016, Dare to Lead Education Award in 2009, and Ngunnawal Centre University of Canberra Award in 2007. He has contributed to children’s books Listen and We are Australian and, in 2023, held a major solo exhibition of his works, Back to Country, at Tuggeranong Arts Centre.