WA Day Festival: Magic of the animated ‘Wadjuk Dreaming’ Indigenous storytelling at Burswood Park

Pride swells in Rosemary Walley’s chest when people get to see her mother’s artwork come to life through her family’s “Wadjuk Dreaming” animated artwork. The Noongar story telling experience is set to captivate audiences at the rescheduled WA Day Festival on Sunday. Based on Theresa Walley’s evocative picture books with animal designs by artist Biara Martin, the artwork transporting viewers into the heart of Dreamtime tales through four animated short films housed within a unique dome. Ms Walley said the books had been an expression of her late mother’s culture after it had been suppressed while growing up in the New Norcia Mission. “She wasn’t allowed to speak language, practice culture, or be with family,” she said. “She was denied language. So coming out of mission as an adult, she wanted to read and write. “The story books were her resilience and it was her happy place. “It was a way of making sure we never forgot our language. All about noongar country, embracing country and culture through a child’s eyes. “It’s my mum’s legacy and that will continue. My mum and I were very proud.” Ms Walley said she was proud her niece Biara could be part of the project, after she developed her passion for drawing and painting while watching her mother and grandmother’s, Joan Martin and Theresa Walley, paint while she was a young girl. The project came to life through a collaboration between Lux Events and Fireteller. Ms Walley’s partner Danny Ford narrates the artwork. The WA Day Festival is made possible thanks to support from the WA Government, Lotterywest and BHP and will be held in conjunction with The West Test between Australia and India at Optus Stadium on the same day. Patrons are encouraged to take advantage of the free public transport available to Burswood Park as part of fare free Sundays for all Smartrider holders.