message stick

Message Stick

Do you know what a message stick is?

No…Well I will tell you the story…generations ago my people used a thing called a message stick. It’s made of timber, fits into your hand and has a message carved or painted onto it.

It was used by Elders to deliver news to another tribe or to invite them to our camp. Equally, if a tribe wanted to visit another tribes’ territory they sent word ahead with a message stick. It’s sort of like a postal information system with a postman that goes miles to deliver it.

Today, messages mostly get sent around on the radio, TV, newspaper and Internet, but sometimes we still send a message stick.

I was really proud when Yumala Design were awarded a Highly Commended in the prestigious Memento Australia Awards for our Handpainted Aboriginal Art Fridge Magnets.

Yumala Designs have also been recognised for their many other quality products as Finalists in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 Memento Australia Awards.

Please support a fully Aboriginal owned and operated business and contact me now for further product details.

The Hon Mike Reynolds, Speaker of the Queensland Parliament presenting one of the framed boomerangs he commissioned from Yumala Designs to use as protocol gifts on his recent visit to China in December 2007.

News
A vibrant design adorns the commemorative baton.

Yumala was commissioned to produce to mark the recent merger of Townsville and Thuringowa Councils.

Yumala with commemorative baton.
(Photo courtesy Townsville Bulletin)

Yumala with hand carved didgeridoo

Markets
Come to the Riverway Markets, located on Cnr Ross River Road and Riverside Drive, Townsville on the 4th Friday night of each month to view my beautiful range of authentic Aboriginal jewellry, gifts and artworks.

Exhibitions

Soulful
An installation of photographic reflections on Aboriginal Australia.

Opening Friday 4 April at 7:30pm at Umbrella Studio, Townsville.

Exhibition Duration: 4 April –11 May 2008

night market stall