Story behind the artwork -

The story of the Five Islands comes from Alcheringa. Oola-boola-woo, the West Wind, lived on top of Merrigong, the Illawarra Range. With the West Wind were his six daughters: Mimosa, Wilga, Lilli Pilli, Clematis and Geera.
When visitors came to see Mimosa, she was sulky and disagreeable. Oola-boola-woo became annoyed at her rude behaviour and snatched off a piece of the mountain with Mimosa on it and threw it out to sea. She was now on an island and later turned into a mermaid, swimming in the sea.
One evening Oola-boola-woo returned from a day of blowing up dust storms and saw that Wilga, Lilli Pilli and Clematis had not been behaving as they should. His patience was at an end. He took a big breath and blew Wilga and her rock out to sea. Not long after, Lilli Pilli, Wattle and Clematis were blown out to sea on pieces of rock.
So there were five islands not far from the coast with five mermaids sunning themselves. Geera was the only child left. She sat hunched, with her arms around her ankles, staring out at the five islands. Year after year she sat until she turned to stone. Dust and leaves fell upon her, grass and wild flowers grew over her, and she became part of the mountain range. She is now known as Mount Keira.

About the artists -

Aunty Lorraine Brown and Aunty Narelle Thomas are proud Yuin/Gunai Kurnai women, respected Elders and senior artists at Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation. For more than thirty years, the sisters have painted side by side, building a creative partnership grounded in trust, balance and deep shared understanding.
Aunty Lorraine is recognised for her fine and intricate detail, while Aunty Narelle brings those details to life through colour, movement and form. Together, they create in perfect rhythm, sometimes one leading and the other following, yet always moving with a shared vision. The harmony of their collaboration is present in every artwork they produce.
Their paintings reflect a profound connection to the stories, colours and knowledge of the East Coast Saltwater Peoples. Bold lines, vibrant colours and flowing designs carry the spirit of Country and community, offering a visual language that brings people together and celebrates the richness of Aboriginal culture. Each work speaks to place, family and memory, carrying knowledge that has been passed down through generations.

• Relaxed, looser fit with a longer line shape
• Designed to suit all bodies, all genders
• 100% breathable cotton (non-stretch)
• Extended size range from 2XS – 3XL & 5XL
• Comfortable for long shifts, with everyday ease
• Printed with original Aussie-designed artwork

100% Cotton

Cold machine wash
Line dry in shade
Cool iron