Storytelling through art serves as a vital means for cultural preservation and continuation. It creates a link between the past and present, enriching our understanding of the human experience. The collaboration with First Nations consultants is crucial in this creative journey, ensuring that the stories embedded in the artwork respectfully and accurately reflect the spirit and heritage of the land’s original custodians. This partnership is key to infusing the art with authenticity and reverence, marking a significant act of cultural recognition and placemaking.


Glenda Nicholls’ woven net artwork demonstrates her skillful use of weaving to tell the creation story of Dhungala (the Murray River).
Her work created for 555 Collins Street acknowledges the hand-fishing technique used by her maternal grandmother Emily Karpany (nee Pinkie), and the bamboo pole fishing technique used by her paternal grandmother Lady Gladys Nicholls (nee Bux). As Nicholls wove the net, she meditated and reflected on the creation journey of a wise winyah and this story was imprinted on the artwork.
The Story of Dhungala
Dhungala means ‘Big Waters’ in Yorta Yorta language, and is known to Yorta Yorta Elders as a story around the creation of the Murray River, the longest river in Australia. The story tell us about a wise winyah (‘woman’ in Yorta Yorta language), who was sent down from the high country by the Creator, Biami.
The winya walked slowly with her yam stick across the low flat and waterless land dragging her yam stick behind her as she went. After many moons of travelling, the winyah came to the sea. She was very tired and found a cave and rested there. Biami became concerned because he could not see the winyah as she went on her journey, so he asked the Rainbow Serpent to find her.
The Rainbow Serpent followed in the track made by the winyah’s yam stick, travelling in and out and all around, making the bends and crevices of the river bed with his body as he went. Biami, upset at not being able to see the winyah in his sight, called loudly in a voice like thunder which made the lightning flash around the land. He cried many tears which brought forth days of rain. The rain filled the crevices and created what we know today as Dhungala, the Murray River. Through her work, she brings the story of Dhungala to life, with the piece elegantly cascading from the ceiling, symbolising a flowing river.
Through her work, Nicholls brings the story of Dhungala to life, with the piece elegantly cascading from the ceiling, the blue symbolising water, the red and orange the river bank. Through this technique and practice, the Dhungala net not only preserves the rich legacy of Nicholls’ family history, but also presents the story to a new generation.
In the face of urban expansion, art becomes an essential tool to honour and delve into the stories of Indigenous landowners, weaving their history and identity into the fabric of our shared environments. Localisation is deeply interwoven with this process, reinforcing the connection between art, history, and place. As we densely populate our cities, it’s imperative to remember and celebrate the traditional landowners and the narratives that precede us.
Glenda Nicholls is a master weaver based in Swan Hill, Victoria. She is a Yorta Yorta, Waddi Waddi and Ngarrindjeri woman. Nicholls specialises in fishnet weaving, and other fibre works.
Listen to Glenda tell the story of Dhungala above. Sound design by James Henry.
Art Pharmacy on behalf of Charter Hall and Armitage Jones commissioned Glenda Nicholls to create Dhungala for the lobby of 555 Collins Street, Melbourne. Thanks to Charter Hall, Armitage Jones, Cox Architecture and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation for their contributions to this project.
