Strong Women’s Business Gathering 

The Yiramalay girls went to Derby to spend the day at the Strong Women’s event. While we were there, we joined in workshops like screen printing and painting with ochre. I also saw elders printing on t-shirts and I got to make one and bring it back with me. We listened to old people talk and tell stories about how they grew up and who their role models in life are and how they feel about being a strong woman. We were taking photos on the stage and with different people. We met new people while we were there, and I felt inspired by a lot of women there. 

Jirrwirliny Jeffries, Year 11 

Last week we went to Derby to attend the West Kimberley Strong Women’s Business Gathering. We looked at different types of activity site set ups like print making calico bags, healing through creative expression, Yiriman Women bush medicine, and so much more. I saw so many people and also activity workshops in the garden. I heard the local elders talking about their stories. We listened to the strong women talking and also some calming music. We were excited to attend the West Kimberley Strong Women’s Gathering. I felt proud to be there. 

Niniesha Belinda Geleena Norman, Year 11 

Last week all the Yiramalay girls and I, along with Mary, Sophie, Cimmy, Karly and Renae took a 3-hour drive to Derby attending the West Kimberley Strong Women’s Business Gathering. Flic, Te-ru, Sophie, Jenna and Eva also joined us on the day of the event. We looked at all the different workshops that the women held, young, old, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal which were held in the Derby Civic Centre. I saw how to screen print and learnt how to properly pour bush medicine and infuse it into oils and ointments. We listened to some of the other women’s personal stories, where they come from, their skin names and language groups. We also listened to the women holding each of the workshops and followed their instructions. I heard all the women talking about where they come from and their families. The women leading the screen-print workshop talked about how she’s from Papua New Guinea but calls herself Aboriginal because all her family are. 

Hiki-Lee Kinley, Year 12