As a result of nearly 2 years of Covid and 2 major floods in the Northern Rivers, our charity suffered great financial loss in turnover. For 2 ½ years there was little tourist activity resulting in almost nil sales. The only answer was to upgrade our website, online shop, marketing strategy and social media profile. We engaged a marketing team called 4 Drunk Parrots, who we knew had a good reputation. We told them our problem, and that we had a donation that would pay for most of the cost. They said that whatever we could afford to pay, they would match it dollar for dollar in pro bono work, including marketing and organising seasonal sales and ‘flash’ sales throughout 2023.

With the balance of David and Fee’s donation, we were able to have our painter mentor, Jai Walker, attend weekly meetings in Tabulam (approx. 100 km round trip from Casino) to record and learn the stories from a Bundjalung Wahlubal speaker Poppy Harry Mundine Walker.

When speaking on his video series project Harry says, “I have made this video to keep alive my people’s language, culture and traditions, to care for my country and ensure our children learn and respect the ways of our ancestors”.

Jai and a group of key contributors meet with Harry on a weekly basis and are pulling together a Wahlubal dictionary as well as recording language. This is something I, as founder/director, have been proud to facilitate for Jai. I am sure David and Fee would also be proud for helping make this initiative happen for future generations.