Peggy was born on Greenvale Station in 1928 and her language is Kitja. She is full blood sister to the late Timmy Timms and former Chairperson of the million acre cattle station – Bow River Station, 25kms North of Warmun, where she spent the majority of her life.
The “Bow” was granted to the Timms’ family (after Sam and Maggie Lilly onsold it) by the Government, with Timmy as Chairperson. At Tim’s funeral, Maggie, then 90 plus, proudly said to the mourners “Your family is my family, and mine is yours”.
She is a respected Elder of the Kitja Community, tireless teacher of culture to the younger generation, known throughout Australia as a Singer, Dancer, owner of many Corroborees (in particular one which was passed on to her from her late brother, which has been staged several times – at the Perth and Melbourne Art Festivals – entitled “Fire, Fire Burning Bright”).
Peggy was actually instrumental in “cutting” a CD in 1992 with others from Warmun called “Singing up the Country” – she’s into everything!! She carves, makes digeridoos, weaves – no artefact that Peggy cannot make and pass down to the children.
Peggy has been painting for some twenty years – she can sketch, as can all great aboriginal painters – and her brush paintings on slate are magnificent. She has generally participated in Joint Exhibitions for her Community (Warmun), rather than Solo Exhibitions – and she includes the youngsters to whom she has taught ochre technique.
Selected Collections
– National Gallery
– Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth
– Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
– Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin
– Private and Corporate Collections Australia and Internationally
