Miinimbi (Whale) by Jacqui Hunter

You can see the whales (Miinimbi) from our family block on my father’s country, Hunter’s Creek, where the salt water creek runs into the Indian Ocean. It’s beautiful there. You only see the whales once a year, when the dugongs are moving out, and the ‘marry turtles’ are moving in for mating season. This is a special time of year for everyone - because if we catch a marry turtle (the ones with eggs), we have a big feast and share it with all the family!

If you want to see whales Down South, you have to pay lots of money! But we get to see them for free. They come in around August/ Sept when the season is coming into the hot weather (Djalalayi season), when we’ve finished Bargana (cold season). They’re around until December, then at the end of December the rainy season (Mangal) comes in. I don't know where they go next- maybe Down South or overseas!

I love watching the whales, I've made a real connection with them- that’s why I paint them!