Wanda Gibson

Wanda was born in Woorabinda in 1946, and her family returned to HopeVale when she was 3. Her father cleared the block where she continues to live today. Wanda’s father was a blacksmith and her mum raised the kids. “They used to go out to work on a farm to make a bit of money for themselves – but otherwise they wouldn’t get money for their work at the mission”. After school Wanda worked doing domestic duties for missionary staff. Wanda, her husband and kids moved to Redland Bay and Mt Isa before returning to Hopevale where she worked at the local supermarket for 21 years.

After her husband passed away Wanda started working with the other ladies down at the art centre. Wanda is a master weaver – she weaves baskets, birds, and fish from dried grass. She is also a painter and completed a Diploma of Visual Arts at Cairns TAFE in 2014. Wanda has five kids, 11 grandkids and 5 great-grandkids. She enjoys fishing and camping down at the coloured sands beach (Elim) near Hopevale.