Smart financial choices the centre of new Djarindjin ‘money story’ textile artworks

A group of women living on the Dampier Peninsula have kick-started a new creative enterprise as part of a program to teach remote communities about smart financial choices.

The women of Djarindjin community gathered at the Domestic Violence Refuge Centre at the weekend for a workshop called Money Story.

Run by Broome Circle financial counsellor Veronica Johnson, the project gives participants an opportunity to talk about money, particularly their understanding of money and their interactions with it.

Ms Johnson said the sessions were like “narrative therapy” where participants can reflect and paint their story.

“It’s a reflective practice,” she said.

“Through this, the ladies have been able to acknowledge where there is loss of culture or loss of respect through gambling and drinking.”

Over three days, the women created textile paintings which will be sold in Perth at the 2022 Financial Counselling conference in November.

Djarindjin community provided $2000 for materials in the hope the wares will bring money back into the community.

“I taught the ladies all about silk and making beautiful scarves and paintings,” Ms Johnson said.

“We had children, elderly, young mums — everyone coming together and creating some of the most beautiful things.”

Not only has the project educated participants on smart money practices, but it also provided them with skills which can be monetised on behalf of the community.

“It’s the beginning of an enterprise and the community is backing them all the way,” Ms Johnson said.

Djarindjin traditional owner Bernedette Angus was one of 30 participants in the program and will accompany the artworks to Perth next month.

“It means a lot to us because it’s new technologies,” Ms Angus said.

“As we do creative artwork, we learn.”

Ms Angus said telling stories through art runs in her family, so she is excited to have a new way of creating and selling art.

“My brothers were artists, and my sister is a creative artist,” she said.

“I hope we get a lot out of it ... and succeed in what we’re doing.”

Broome Circle will run another workshop at Djarindjin in late October.