02/06/2026
Meet your heroes!
Meeting Thiinma Elder Peter Salmon was more than I hoped. I'm delighted to be working on his portrait, drawn on an old swag, an essential item for a stockman.
At 93 years old, Peter has had a full life without any signs of slowing down. He is a renowned and respected stockman from the Upper Gascoyne on Mantharta Country.
I have spent just two weeks playing jackaroo in 2017. Horseback mustering was a humbling and awe-inspiring experience that led me to start using swag canvas as a backdrop for portraits like this.
Peter's openness and friendliness was a warm embrace, much like he is shown on ABC's The Piano.
He is the last living native speaker of the Thiinma language, and he is eager to share through singing and stories with linguist and musician Rosie Sitorus and the band Warriyangga.
It is an honour to draw his likeness, and hopefully I'll have it finished soon!
Warralgurniya
