Renewing
Women’s
Business
Research and Documentary
by Julie Drew BA. MPHil. USYD
This website may contain images of deceased Aboriginal people.
Julie Drew and Lily Gin.gina
Julie Drew is an ethnographic archeologist who completed a Master of Philosophy thesis at University of Sydney in 2001. For 12 years Julie worked with and studied the rock art and dreaming stories, connected to the land of the Wardaman people, of the top end of Northern Territory.
After completing her thesis, called “Animal Connections in the Rock art Landscape and Dreaming Tracks of the Wardaman country” - An Informed Archaeology, Julie was asked by Lily Gin.gina to come and help with the young girls initiation . Realising the unique importance of this project Julie asked that this event be documented by professional female film makers.
Lily Gin.gina was senior Wardaman elder from 1997 until she died in November 2008. As well as Lily and other senior women, Bill Harney, the senior male elder and Chairman of the Council of Wardaman Elders gave his sanction to this project. On Wardaman country a man can know about women's business but cannot be present at some women’s ceremonies.
“Over a decade of work and friendship with Lily has taught me new ways of thinking about the importance of recording, managing and conserving aboriginal rock art.” ~Julie Drew
Renewing Women’s Business
Renewing Women's Business is an unique film which identifies how young Aboriginal (Wardaman) females were instructed into understanding and learning about their own development at puberty and just how this is linked to ancient cultural traditions involving their part in the link to Wardaman lands.
This film may contain images of deceased Aboriginal people. Aboriginal men are advised that this film is about Women’s Business.
