Macquarie River Dubbo About the Artist Billyara Billyara is a respected artist from the Wiradjuri tribe. The name Billyara comes from the artist’s totem, an eagle. The eagle stems from the artist’s connection to the land. iver chaln R Billyara has been painting Aboriginal art for over 28 years and La teaches these traditions to younger generations. Billyara’s work has been exhibited extensively, and has sold his paintings internationally. Through a relationship with Modern Teaching Aids, Billyara hopes to introduce contemporary Aboriginal art to young children in fun and engaging ways. Hay The Wiradjuri Nation The Wiradjuri are New South Wales’s largest Aboriginal group. Their land covers approximately from the Great Dividing Range in the east, to Hay and Nyngan in the west, Gunnedah in the Mu north and Albury in the south. rru mb idg WaggaTheir land is Wagga known as having three rivers: Kalari (Lachlan), ee Wambool (Macquarie) and the Murrumbidjeri (Murrumbidgee). Ri ver The Murray River is on the southern boundary. The Wiradjuri were highly skilled hunters, gathers and fishers, and their diet M came from their local land. As the land consisted of a lot of u rr water, seafood such as cod and yabbiesCanberrra were important in y R their diet. The Wiradjuri were made up of small clans or family i v groups that followed the seasonal nature of the land. er Albury

Round Aboriginal Art Puzzles Product Code : JJ9020 Regenerating Resources Mat Artist Billyara

All over Australia we are surrounded by a The Indigenous peoples knowledge of flora and In areas of country precision back burning was unique range of trees, plants and flowers fauna gave them resources from their surrounds that applied where the fire created had lots of benefits that have been an important part of could be used for a source of food, medicines, dyes, with the rebirth of growth and vegetation. Another weapons, jewellery, weaving and many more uses. In benefit from back burning was to stop bush fires Aboriginal culture and survival practices certain times of seasons things would flower and the getting out of control that may have been started for thousands of years. people would know when it was time for ceremony. from lightning.

Round Aboriginal Art Puzzles Product Code : JJ9020 Spirit Totems Artist Billyara

In lots of cultures and religions all over the In most societies it is believed the connection with Beliefs are still continued through dance that are world people have believed to connect your totem can give you spiritual guidance and help performed mimicking the totems, legends and myths with their spirit totems and spirit beings. recognise inner abilities like healing, inspiration, told through art and storytelling. Songs are sung and strength, keeping one self and others safe and link music is played to respect the connection which has with the spirit realm like religion. Australian Aboriginal been passed on for generations. totems can vary from elements, wind, rain, lightning, water, fire, stars or plants, flowers, trees, animals and beings.

Round Aboriginal Art Puzzles Product Code : JJ9020 Sun Cycle Artist Billyara

In the beginning of creation, Biame (God) It was a time of darkness and Aboriginal people Trees and plants started to grow and snakes and sent down the rainbow serpent to help struggled to find food with dangerous creatures like lizards laid out on the ground enjoying the sun’s with the balance of Earth’s rotation. The the Crocodiles hiding in the dark. Then the sun was warmth. This made it easier for people to hunt and created shining light all over the land for everyone to gather their food. The sun would come and go, serpent created rivers, gullies, caves see. creating time of day and a time of night. This cycle and mountains when it moved through has continued since creation began. country. The sun warmed the Earth and clouds began to form, rain dropped filling the rivers with water, fish, crocodiles and other creatures then started to swim.

Round Aboriginal Art Puzzles Product Code : JJ9020