The Hands On Weavers Group share their knowledge, skills and stories with young and old in the spirit of Yindyamarra.

Who Are We

An elderly woman with white hair and glasses, wearing a navy and white floral top, seated indoors.
An elderly woman with glasses, dressed in a white blouse, looking down at a small object in her hands.
Four people standing and talking at an airport terminal, with large windows and signage in the background.
Older woman with white hair standing outdoors in front of greenery during fall, wearing a red jacket, black shirt, colorful scarf, and red earrings.

Members

Aunty Joyce Hampton (President/Cultural Advisor)

Aunty Lorraine Tye

Aunty Nita Lawrence

Aunty Jacqui Ingram

Uncle James Ingram

Aunty Mary Atkinson

Aunty Cheryl Penrith

Aunty Lorraine Bryce

Aunty Janna Havelka

Aunty Jane Havelka

Leanne Sanders (Secretary)

Shanae Pope (Treasurer/Public Officer)

Peter Ingram

Cate Ferguson

Deborah Evans

Brae Tye

Ella Havelka

Man in blue shirt and sunglasses speaking outdoors to a group of people, with one person wearing a backpack, under a wooden structure.
An older woman with short curly blonde hair, smiling and laughing, wearing a red blouse with lace details.
Two women outdoors near a body of water, both wearing leopard print shirts and smiling at the camera.
An elderly woman with white hair and glasses sitting next to a smiling young woman with dark hair, wearing an orange dress, in a room with cubby storage.

Associate Members

Linda Elliott

Janine Agzarain

Karin Zuge

Amanda Ugo

Colette Grier

Vivienne Wong

Supporting Organisations

Woman smiling and holding a yellow circular object with a string, looking through it.
Two women smiling and standing side by side in front of a wall with colorful wall art, one with short blonde hair and the other with dark hair in braids.
Group of women sitting around, with one woman standing and measuring another woman's arm, in a casual indoor setting.
Two elderly women standing and talking in a room with orange walls, a mirror, and various papers on the wall.

Join Us

If you would like to become a member, an associate member or a supporting organisation, please

  • email: handsonweavers@gmail.com,

  • attend one of our weekly Wednesday drop-in sessions and,

  • read the guidelines and expectations below.

Membership costs $12 for the first year and $10 for subsequent years.

Please note that Individuals omitted from the list above are not associated with the HOW Group and may be using our name and insurance illegally. Please reach out if you are unsure of a person’s involvement in the group.

Two women sitting closely together, engaged in a craft activity. One woman is wearing a blue shirt and patterned pants, the other is wearing a colorful sleeveless top. They are focused on their task in what appears to be a casual indoor setting.
An elderly woman with gray hair and glasses sitting in an orange chair, knitting, with another woman standing next to her, observing.
An elderly woman with gray hair and glasses wearing a colorful patterned top standing next to a table displaying woven baskets.
Middle-aged woman with blonde hair smiling, holding a circular craft or jewelry piece she is working on with a needle and thread in a craft workshop.

Hands on Weavers Guidelines and Expectations

Yindyamarra - Respect

Respect cannot be given unless it is reciprocated. Our traditional lore is built on not only the word but behaviour and practice in everything that you do. To respect others, you must first respect yourself. Join us in knowing that everyone who comes to the group brings their own footprint on their journey. Our group must be built on respect for each and every member and not someone who feels they should be treated better than anybody else. When you see a new person come to the group – make them feel welcome, as you yourself would like to have been made welcome as well. This is your time to stand at the border, to stand at the doorway, and welcome through to the group a new member. Please do your best to be friendly and welcoming.

Welcome and Acknowledge

Acknowledgement is what we do out of respect. Through acknowledgement of our Traditional Custodians, and our ancestors we ask for their blessing and goodwill to invite all peoples; members, committee members, visitors, and fellow weavers from visiting Nations and Countries. Our Acknowledgement stems from Respect heard in our speech that we give.

An Aboriginal Elder from Wiradjuri Country will stand proudly and give an official ‘Welcome to Country’. This is telling you that we, as Wiradjuri people, have a beautiful Country and we welcome you to walk, work and live among our people with our blessing and as part of our family. This talk is beautiful and I recommend you listen to the words sung or spoken by our respected Elders. An ‘Acknowledgement to Country’ can be spoken by an Aboriginal or non-Aboriginal person. This is done through respect that you are not an Elder or Traditional Custodian of the Wiradjuri Country, but you take note of the importance and acknowledge this Country by accepting a ‘Welcome to Country’ performed for you. In its absence of a Welcome to Country it is your personal choice to give an ‘Acknowledgement to Country’.

Listen and Learn

Our ancestors would sit and teach the importance of respect, acknowledgement of lessons and the importance of listening. Please listen to each other and our Country as it speaks to you. It is not necessary to talk over anyone disrespectfully; it is necessary for you to feel welcome and to learn to listen. Speak when you have something to share, but listening shows how you are becoming a member of the weaving group. We all are on our individual journey, and until we listen with respect we will stagnate and be forced to stay at that place until we can safely move on.

We Acknowledge those who have passed and are still at the heart of our weaving practice. We are grateful to continue sharing their creations through our projects remembering them with love and yindyamarra.