Peggy Patrick / Bowerbird Country

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

Peggy in conversation with artist fellow senior artist Phyllis Thomas – “Phyllis, this country here I’ve painted – that’s by the road into Rugan (Crocodile Hole Community)”.
Phyllis nods.
Peggy – “Well, what’s the Kartiya (pronounced Gudia and means white person) name for those mad birds that live all round there?”
Phyllis “I don’t know – only know Kitja name”.
Peggy is obviously not impressed and mutters that Rugan is Phyllis’ Community, therefore she should know the proper name. After some time, with Peggy describing the antics of the Bower Bird and the “funny” nests they build, she suddenly remembers the whitefella name, Bowerbird, and is very pleased with herself! So, on offer is “Bowerbird Country”, situated south of Kununurra going towards Turkey Creek, which is the prime place to view “those mad birds”.