Deanne Gilson painting | Ballan Library and Community Hub
Yin Yin Yonbarra, Mooroobull Wadawurrung Dja, Songbirds of the Moorabool and Wadawurrung Country, depicts the Wadawurrung Creation Story alongside the artist's childhood memories of growing up in Gordon.
Deanne Gilson recalls riding her horse up Carton’s Road and being in awe of the yellow wattle trees that lined both sides of the roads and the wild daffodils sprouting in Springtime. Fishing at the Bostock, camping, playing in the trees for hours on end and watching the many birds she now paints. Gilson collects ochre from Country and incorporates elements of this within her painting, giving them a grounded connection to place, ancestors and her own childhood memories. Wadawurrung people were known as water people, with water being crucial for survival; the Moorabool river, Bostock Reservoir and Lal Lal Falls are depicted in the artwork, forming connects all through Wadawurrung Country.
The birds all hold their own stories, like Bunjil, the Eagle-hawk, who was a shapeshifter; he could turn himself into a man and back to eagle form whenever he wanted. He was the headman of the Kulin family groups and while in his eagle form, he created the land on which we stand, the people, birds, fire, plants, animals, mountains, forests, waterways, sky, cosmos and under Country. All beings of the creation became known as his family.
After creating everything, Bunjil became tired and decided to take his family to a place called Lal Lal Falls, where he asked the keeper of the whirlwind Bellin Bellin, the Currawong, to blow them high up into the sky to rest. They became stars in the galaxy and all watch over us today.
This artwork was commissioned by Moorabool Shire Council following a call for expressions of interest to create a Wadawurrung artwork for the new Ballan Library and Community Hub. The initiative was supported by Ballan and District Soldiers Memorial Bush Nursing Hospital and Hostel Inc in 2023.
Dr Deanne Gilson
Wadawurrung. Born 1967, Melbourne, Victoria. Lives and works in Ballarat.
Yin Yin Yonbarra, Mooroobull Wadawurrung Dja, Songbirds of the Moorabool and Wadawurrung Country, 2025
Pink and white ochre, charcoal from Marlene Gilson’s fire, silver leaf, acrylic on canvas
130 x 180 cm
Collection of Moorabool Shire Council
Purchased with funds donated by Ballan and District Soldiers Memorial Bush Nursing Hospital and Hostel Inc, 2023