The Regional Indigenous Cultural Development Officer program

Work continues on the Outback Arts Regional Indigenous Cultural Development Strategy (RICS) which seeks to support the development of Aboriginal arts and culture through a number of initiatives, the main of which is the employment of a Regional Indigenous Cultural Development Officer (RICDO) in each of the Outback Arts Local Government Areas.
Outback Arts continually sources funding to operate this program that has been running for nearly a decade. In 2009, the position was changed from 1 full time position covering the entire region into 6 part-time positions, with a RICDO operating in each of the Outback Arts contributing shires. This program has received excellent outcomes with art groups involvement in local, regional and metropolitan exhibitions.

The RICDO program has involved the employment of local residents in each shire, to assist in developing skills & knowledge of local Indigenous heritage for the whole community. It works toward promoting local traditions, teaching art skills, marketing & arts business and most importantly building awareness of local culture in the community.

Contacting your community’s Regional Indigenous Cultural Development Officer

Susan Lawrance – Walgett

Susan joined Outback Arts as the RICDO for Walgett in March 2010 and has been very busy workshops, exhibitions and providing support to the many talented Indigenous artists in Walgett. ‘Where the Two Rivers Meet‘ is the Walgett Indigenous art group that was established in 2010 and currently meet every week in the Community Centre in Fox Street Walgett.

To read more about the Where the Two Rivers Meet art group click here

To contact Susan e: s.l.i.d@bigpond.net.au or phone: 0407279 717

Karin Thurston – Lightning Ridge

Karin’s family is Gamilaraay – A uniquely practising  sand artist, who also works in many other mediums. In the time Karin has been in the RICDO position she has established a strong following for Indigenous art practice in the Lightning Ridge community, ‘The Yuluwirri Painters’ were formed in March 2010.

To contact Karin e: thorungulla@bigpond.com

Mary Kennedy - Warren

Mary Kennedy was been a member of the Ngemba Wailwan art group since it began in 2010. Mary is a Wailwan woman and her totem is Millimaru (swallow). Mary was born in the Warren District and has lived there all her life. One of the founding members of WNAI (Ngemba Wailwan Artists Initiative) her paintings are inspired by the tree carvings and ground markings of her ancestors, the Ngemba Wailwan.

To see artworks and read more about the Ngemba Wailwan art group click here

To contact Mary e: littleiodine@bigpond.com or phone 0417 040 019

Jamie-Lea Hodges – Coonamble

Jamie-Lea Hodges hails from Coonamble, started the role in November 2009. Jamie-Lea is currently working as both the Regional Arts Development Officer (RADO) and the role of Regional Indigenous Cultural Development Officer (RICDO) for the Coonamble region. Jamie-Lea was born and bred in Coonamble, after finishing school spent 5 years in Sydney where she graduated from the College of Fine Arts, University of NSW with a Bachelor of Art Education and a major in Sculpture/Photography.

To contact Jamie-Lea e: rado@outbackarts.com.au or phone: 68222 484 or 0419 629 818

Clem Edwards – Bourke
Clem joined the Outback Arts community as the Bourke Regional Indigenous Cultural Development Officer in April 2012
Clem has already been working as a community Aboriginal art facilitator with Centacare with the group holding art meetings at 2CUZ radio station in Bourke

To contact Clem phone 0268 222 484

Currently there are RICDOs employed in Walgett, Lightning Ridge, Warren,  Coonamble and Bourke. For further information regarding RICDO positions please contact the Outback Arts RADO Jamie-Lea on rado@outbackarts.com.au or phone 68 222 484