1. Animals
2. Art techniques
3. Creation
4. Culture
5. Dharawal / Tharawal people (S59) (NSW SI56-09)
6. Dreaming
7. Nature
8. Plants
9. Teaching

‘D’harawal Dreaming Stories’ is a collection of stories which belong to the D’harawal people from the Sydney Basin and south coast region of NSW. The stories are an integral part of the culture of the D’harawal people and show how the natural rhythms, lessons and language are integrated and intertwined with the land, animals and nature that underpin the culture and daily life of the D’harawal. They teach the importance of caring for the land and how various plants and animals came into being. We learn about the consequences of greed and jealousy but also about kindness and caring and the advantages of working together.

These stories are identified as Law or teaching stories and are intended to instil an understanding of the land and culturally accepted behaviour. This knowledge has been passed down through many generations providing crucial knowledge of survival with important lessons on cultural expectations and responsibilities.

Lorraine Robertson’s beautiful visual imagery uses a variety of artistic techniques giving informative, accurate and naturalistic representations of the plants, animals and environment that form an important part of D’harawal culture.

Frances Bodkin is a descendant of the D’harawal people of the Bidiagal clan. She is an educator of D’harawal knowledge. Combining the knowledge passed down from her Aboriginal mother with her University education, she holds a holistic understanding of the natural environment and ways to care for it. Bodkin has published three books on D’harawal culture, stories and natural resources. Illustrator Lorraine Robertson has taught art and Aboriginal education in the Hunter region of NSW. She has painted and sketched all her life. The artwork in ‘D’harawal Dreaming Stories’ was created as part of her doctorate in Design undertaken at the University of Newcastle.

1. ABC Conversations with Richard Fidler, ‘The Secret History of the Native Hibiscus’, Interview with Aunty Fran Bodkin https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/conversations-fran-bodkin/9350952
2. Interview with Aunty Frances Bodkin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCP3Sq2AfX4
3. ABC Gardening Australia, ‘Interview with Aunty Fran’ https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/aunty-fran/11296250
4. ‘The places Mum took me’: Aunty Fran Bodkin https://historyofaboriginalsydney.edu.au/south-west/places-mum-took-me-frances-bodkin
5. Aboriginal Agriculture with Bruce Pascoe and Fran Bodkin https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1538107802976261
6. Lorraine Robertson’s D’harawal watercolour illustrations to be exhibited in Port Stephens https://www.portstephensexaminer.com.au/story/3166271/accurate-illustrations-on-show-gallery/