Reflections on the Opening of Magpie Goose: Stories You Wear
Last night we opened Magpie Goose: Stories You Wear at the Museum of Brisbane - a moment that felt both surreal and deeply grounding. If you know Troy and I, you’ll know he’s usually the one with the gift of the gab. He speaks from the heart with such ease: quick, witty, intuitive, and always says the right things. I’m usually there beside him, smiling and letting him speak.
But life is full of surprises.
On the night, emotion completely overtook him, in the most beautiful way, and suddenly the roles reversed. I had no notes and I honestly can’t tell you what I managed to say. There was so much I wanted to honour, and so many people to acknowledge, that the words came out in a blur.
So here is the speech I would have given. The one I would have written if I’d had time to prepare, reflect and gather my thoughts. Brace yourself – because it’s a long one!
Acknowledgement of Country and Elders
First, I would have thanked Aunty Raelene Baker, Warunghu, for her warm and generous Welcome to Country. I would have acknowledged the Traditional Owners of this Country here in Magandjin / Meeanjin (Brisbane), and paid my respects to all the mob in the room and to the ancestors who were present in spirit.
To Nunukul Yuggera, thank you for the powerful didge playing. We can’t wait to see you dance at the exhibition open-day events.
And to our distinguished guests; Elders - Uncle Noel Blair, Uncle Bob Anderson, and Aunty Mary Burgess - thank you for your presence, strength and guidance. The pathways you’ve created allow us to stand here today. Everything we achieve is built on the foundations you, and all generations before us, have laid.
Artists – The Heart of This Exhibition
Stories You Wear exists because of the artists and their communities.
From Katherine to Ardyaloon, Ewyenper Atwatye to Quandamooka, and all the collections in between, every artist we collaborate with brings their own world of cultural knowledge, family memories, Country and creativity. These designs are not just prints - they’re stories, lived experiences, and centuries of ancestral wisdom made wearable.
Your generosity and trust make Magpie Goose what it is. Thank you for allowing your stories to be shared on our clothes and worn across the country.
To the Founders of Magpie Goose
To Maggie McGowan and Laura Egan - thank you for trusting us with your legacy.
When you started Magpie Goose in 2016, you created something bold and important: a new way of sharing stories, celebrating artists, and creating fashion grounded in culture and Country. What you built was more than a brand - it was a platform, a pathway to a movement.
When the label transitioned to Aboriginal ownership, Troy and I were excited and humbled. We didn’t realise how much work was involved, the fashion industry is a hard business when you do it ethically and sustainably, but like you, we’ve never done it for the money - we do it for the impact. For the artists. For their families. For culture to be seen, valued and worn with pride.
It’s so beautiful to see the first five years of Magpie Goose coming together alongside the collections we’ve developed over the most recent years.
Thank you for everything you set in motion; we’re grateful to continue that journey today.
To the Museum of Brisbane – With Deep Gratitude
To the Museum of Brisbane - thank you for the care you took every step of the way. Your passion, dedication and attention to detail has shone through in every aspect of this exhibition.
I’ll admit, I was hesitant at first. Magpie Goose has been around for 10 years. We’ve collaborated with over 75 artists from 15 Aboriginal communities. Creating a representative exhibition requires huge amounts of communication, permissions, cultural clearances and community engagement. As custodians of these stories, we carry an enormous responsibility, one we never take lightly.
But I trusted the people involved. Zoe Graham, the amazing CEO/Director - thank you for your leadership and vision. Naomi Takeifanga, who leads exhibitions - having worked with you before, I knew you would ensure best-practice community engagement. Curator Elena Dias-Jayasinha - your intelligence, warmth and respect for culture are felt in every curatorial decision.
When I suggested bringing on Kieron Anderson, you embraced the idea completely. It means so much that this exhibition not only celebrates community stories but also created the opportunity to employ a First Nations curator. Kieron’s deep consultation with Quandamooka and Jinibara communities grounded this exhibition in exactly the right way.
Thank you to exhibition designer Melissa Blight for your stunning vision, and to the entire Museum of Brisbane team from the workshop to conservation to public programs. What you’ve created is truly remarkable.
Bringing the Dream Team Together
Huge appreciation to Nisa Richy! We welcomed Nisa into the Magpie Goose team in March this year specifically for this project and she has been such a blessing to us. Not only is she our Store Manager, for the Bowen Hills flagship store, but she became a part of the curatorial team and really worked closely with MoB in bringing everything together for the exhibition. We couldn’t have pulled off this exhibition without your assistance and we’ll miss you dearly when you leave next year to study in Melbourne.
We are grateful for our everyday collaborators; the amazing Belinda Crossley - our production manager, screen printers - Publisher Textiles, Kudji Handprinting and Slosh, pattern maker – Ginababy, manufacturers – Sphinx and DNA, and fellow social enterprises Second Stitch and The Social Studio who creates accessories from our fabric scraps.
Thank you also to the Museum of Brisbane for involving our beautiful family of creatives in this exhibition. One of the greatest joys of this project has been watching our community shine. The are artworks included throughout the gallery by various artists. Jenna Lee created the branding with her usual brilliance and cultural depth. Sai Karlen brought motion and atmosphere animating Aunty Raelene's prose. Jimmy Eng made the sample clothes with care and precision. Kieron Anderson and Dean Tyson created the sand formations on the central plinth. Sasha from Red Handed Productions captured some beautiful photographs. Zac Mulquin produced the incredible videos capturing Quandamooka stories so powerfully.
And there is more to come - a music outcome led by Quandamooka artist Sachém Parkin-Owens, who will undertake a residency here in 2026. He is also performing at the open day.
Across all our businesses, we always try to scaffold opportunities for other creatives. It’s something we hold close: lifting each other up, creating space, sharing the stage, and making sure that community is always at the centre. Being able to bring so many of our people into this exhibition has been incredibly meaningful.
What This Exhibition Means
Stories You Wear shows how clothing can be a vessel for memory. It’s about wearing stories that honour place, celebrate culture, and spark conversations. It’s about people walking through Brisbane carrying stories older than the city itself.
And for Troy and I, it’s about creating a better place for Charlie; a future where reconciliation isn’t just a word, but something he sees in action, in relationships, and in the way our communities walk together.
Closing Thoughts
I may not have said all this on the night - but I felt every word.
Opening Magpie Goose: Stories You Wear was emotional, overwhelming, and deeply affirming. It reminded me why we do this work: because our stories matter, our communities matter, and the next generation deserves to see themselves reflected in powerful, beautiful, culturally grounded ways.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey - the Elders, the artists, the families, the curators, the Museum, the creatives, our supporters, and everyone who wears Magpie Goose with pride.
The exhibition is now open at the Museum of Brisbane.
I hope when you visit, you feel the same heartbeat we felt in the room last night -connection, pride, and Country alive in every story.
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Photo credit: Museum visitor viewing Ungaire Reeds by Elisa Jane Carmichael and My Island Home… by Dean Bingkin Tyson. Image courtesy Museum of Brisbane, photo by Red Handed Productions, 2025.