Gertie Deeral

Gertie is a Guugu Yimithirr artist from HopeVale community in Far North QLD. She was born in Woorabinda (West of Rockhampton) in 1944, after her family were forcibly moved from Cape Bedford mission, when the German missionary was suspected of being a spy. Gertie’s family returned to the new mission site at HopeVale when she was four.

Gertie’s country on her mum’s side is Dingal/Cape Flattery, and family totem is the stingray (“when you go to Lizard Island on my mum’s country, you’ll see it’s the shape of the stingray”.) Her family totem on her father’s side is the owl - Whumbul in Guugu Yalanji language; and his country is from Maytown / Bloomfield / Mossman down to the Daintree.

Gertie left school at age 16 and worked as an indentured labourer at the pastor’s house “doing laundry, cooking, scrubbing the floors, ironing, making beds. That was the time of rations – flour, milk, sugar, tea leaf. Then there was freedom after the mission days. I got a job at the aged care where I worked for many years.

Gertie has raised six sons, has 15 grandchildren, and now lives on a farm about 10 minutes out of HopeVale. She loves to tell her grandchildren dreaming stories in the garden out the front of her house, and sit and listen to the birds.

“When I see people wearing my designs I feel happy. I’m really glad. They went a long way, and I’m very proud. This didn’t used to happen (during the mission days)- old people coming together, doing art, sharing culture. Now the little kids are getting interested and learning about culture again. It’s good.”

“Gertie is a Guugu Yimithirr artist from HopeVale community in Far North QLD. ”

Blog posts

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Visiting Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and the Ewyenper Atwatye artists

Sep 18, 2024

Magpie Goose team returned to Mparntwe to visit the Ewyenper Atwatye artists, coordinate a fun little photoshoot, host a pop-up shop, and soak in all the beautiful artwork while connecting with so ...

Sustainable

Magpie Goose takes Gold at the Clean + Conscious Awards 2024

Aug 21, 2024

Magpie Goose has received the Gold award for Best Sustainable Womenswear at the Clean + Conscious Awards 2024!

Empowering Communities and Protecting Country: Our Special Collaboration with Firesticks Alliance

Jul 5, 2024

Our collaboration with Firesticks Alliance is a really special opportunity to learn. We interview Rachel Steffensen, People and Partnerships Manager at Firesticks Alliance.