Family Keeps Us Going
Family Keeps Us Going
Family Keeps Us Going: Portraits and Stories of Families of Aboriginal Nations Living in South-West Sydney
Photography by Jagath Dheerasekara in collaboration with the storytellers.
Family Keeps Us Going
Family Keeps Us Going: Portraits and Stories of Families of Aboriginal Nations Living in South-West Sydney
Photography by Jagath Dheerasekara in collaboration with the storytellers.
A powerful series of images and stories, developed in extensive collaboration with the storytellers and Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation’s Waranwarin Child and Family Centre showcasing families living in south-west Sydney in 2014/15. This project used photography and oral histories to express belonging, identity, memory, culture and land. The images reflect the diversity of families and their connections to Country across Australia.
Jagath Dheerasekara is a politically engaged, award-winning photographer whose work also encompasses human rights and oral history. He grew up in Sri Lanka and now lives and works in Sydney. Jagath, who has received the Amnesty International Human Rights Fund Grant, is a passionate facilitator of community cultural development art projects.
On display on Level 1, Macquarie Building.

Harold ‘Buck’ Davis
Dunghutti | b. 1955, Kempsey, New South Wales
Harold and family at his home, Leumeah, 2014
Standing L–R: Margaret (granddaughter), Margaret (daughter) carrying Kyleah (granddaughter), Chris (grandson) carrying Logan (grandson), Jamie (son), Harold, Isaiah (grandson), Roy (son), Jaiden (grandson), Valerie (daughter), Timothy (grandson) holding Michaela (granddaughter)
Seated L–R: Wade (brother-in-law), Susan (wife), Arty (brother-in-law)
Photograph arranged and chosen by Harold ‘Buck’ Davis
MLOH 846
Harold ‘Buck’ Davis
Dunghutti | b. 1955, Kempsey, New South Wales
Harold and family at his home, Leumeah, 2014
Standing L–R: Margaret (granddaughter), Margaret (daughter) carrying Kyleah (granddaughter), Chris (grandson) carrying Logan (grandson), Jamie (son), Harold, Isaiah (grandson), Roy (son), Jaiden (grandson), Valerie (daughter), Timothy (grandson) holding Michaela (granddaughter)
Seated L–R: Wade (brother-in-law), Susan (wife), Arty (brother-in-law)
Photograph arranged and chosen by Harold ‘Buck’ Davis
MLOH 846

Michael Paduch-Ducket
Dunghutti | b. 1970, Sydney, New South Wales
Michael and family at Cascades, Mount Annan, 2014
L–R: Mary (wife) Michael, Tori (daughter), John (nephew)
Photograph arranged and chosen by Michael Paduch-Ducket
MLOH 846
Michael Paduch-Ducket
Dunghutti | b. 1970, Sydney, New South Wales
Michael and family at Cascades, Mount Annan, 2014
L–R: Mary (wife) Michael, Tori (daughter), John (nephew)
Photograph arranged and chosen by Michael Paduch-Ducket
MLOH 846

Margaret Russell
Ngunnawal | b. 1953, Yass, New South Wales
Margaret and family, Bradbury 2014
L–R: Peter (brother), Amir (son-in-law), Margaret, Nicole (niece), Lisa (daughter), Kaylene (daughter-in-law), Jarod (nephew) holding Olivia (niece)
L–R: James (nephew), Issac (grandson), Kaliesha (granddaughter), Peter Jr (nephew) holding Jivarnah (granddaughter), Tailee (grandson)
Photograph arranged and chosen by Margaret Russell
MLOH 846
Margaret Russell
Ngunnawal | b. 1953, Yass, New South Wales
Margaret and family, Bradbury 2014
L–R: Peter (brother), Amir (son-in-law), Margaret, Nicole (niece), Lisa (daughter), Kaylene (daughter-in-law), Jarod (nephew) holding Olivia (niece)
L–R: James (nephew), Issac (grandson), Kaliesha (granddaughter), Peter Jr (nephew) holding Jivarnah (granddaughter), Tailee (grandson)
Photograph arranged and chosen by Margaret Russell
MLOH 846

Larry Hoskins
Dunghutti | b. 1950, Kempsey, New South Wales
Larry (L) with Chris (nephew) at the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Airds, 2014
Photograph arranged and chosen by Larry Hoskins
MLOH 846
Larry Hoskins
Dunghutti | b. 1950, Kempsey, New South Wales
Larry (L) with Chris (nephew) at the Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Airds, 2014
Photograph arranged and chosen by Larry Hoskins
MLOH 846

Grace Connolly
Wiradjuri + Gunaikurnai | b. 1960, Fairfield, New South Wales
Grace and family at her home, Airds, 2015
L–R: Brett (partner) carrying Nate (grandson)
Grace holding photo of George (father) and Roslyn (mother)
Miya (granddaughter) holding photo of Joe (brother)
Tammy (niece) holding photo of Patrica (sister)
Marli (granddaughter) holding photo of Doris (sister)
Renee (daughter) holding photo of Agnus (sister)
Tori (granddaughter) holding photo of John (brother)
Frank (brother) holding photo of Grace, Margaret (sister), himself & Vickie (sister)
Roslyn (daughter) holding photo of Cedric (brother)
Andrew (son) holding photo of Ralph (brother)
Photograph arranged and chosen by Grace Connolly
MLOH 846
Grace Connolly
Wiradjuri + Gunaikurnai | b. 1960, Fairfield, New South Wales
Grace and family at her home, Airds, 2015
L–R: Brett (partner) carrying Nate (grandson)
Grace holding photo of George (father) and Roslyn (mother)
Miya (granddaughter) holding photo of Joe (brother)
Tammy (niece) holding photo of Patrica (sister)
Marli (granddaughter) holding photo of Doris (sister)
Renee (daughter) holding photo of Agnus (sister)
Tori (granddaughter) holding photo of John (brother)
Frank (brother) holding photo of Grace, Margaret (sister), himself & Vickie (sister)
Roslyn (daughter) holding photo of Cedric (brother)
Andrew (son) holding photo of Ralph (brother)
Photograph arranged and chosen by Grace Connolly
MLOH 846
Celebrating NAIDOC Week
As part of our NAIDOC celebrations the Library will also display a collection of 15 dramatic photographic portraits taken by Michael Riley, one of Australia's leading Indigenous contemporary artists; A common place: Moree Murries 1990 can be seen in our AMAZE gallery from the 11 June to 28 August 2016.

Michael and Jacko French
From 'A common place: Portraits of Moree Murries 1990'
Michael Riley (1960 – 2004)
© Michael Riley Foundation, Licensed by Viscopy
Silver gelatin photoprint
20.3 x 25.3 cm
State Library NSW
PXA 591