Bulgan Warra (Sacred Lake) Original by Madge Bowen

This design depicts my mother’s country of Bulgan Warra. Bulgan Warra stretches from south of Cook Town (Gundarr) up to Leggets Creek (a branch of the Endeavour River).  

This is the place of my ancestors. My mother and her brothers were taken from this country as part of the stolen generation – the white police came in and took them - the boys to Cape Bedford, my mum to Yarrabah. My mother’s brother who is also from this country tells me a lot of dreaming stories about this place.

In this design there’s a big mountain with a lake – this is the northern boundary of Bulgan Warra. There’s lots of wildlife in this area – kangaroos, echidnas, goannas – all sorts.In the lake there’s long neck turtles, and lily pads growing. In the trees there’s lots of different kinds of birds. This tree – the curtain fig tree – has become famous now! Every time I’m asked to draw something, I have to draw this tree; this scene.”

This design was created at the HopeVale Arts and Culture Centre during a workshop with Cairns based Textile artist Bobbie Rueben.

This design was first featured in a Magpie Goose X HopeVale collection in 2019, and was selected by new owner /directors to be part of a special QLD reprint in 2021, as part of Neon Reef collection!

In this design there’s a big mountain with a lake – this is the northern boundary of Bulgan Warra. ”

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