08/07/2026
For 50 years, NAIDOC Week has celebrated the strength of First Nations voices, culture and storytelling.
For Nick, a proud Wiradjuri man, artist, and Wellways’ Mental Health Recovery and Rehabilitation Worker, sharing culture has become a powerful part of supporting recovery.
Over the past 15 months, Nick has shared his love of storytelling through art with Wellways participant Corey, teaching him about the meanings behind symbols, colour and connection to Country while encouraging him to create paintings that tell stories meaningful to him.
What began as a way to build rapport though a mutual interest has grown into something much bigger. Painting has become a source of confidence, calm and self-expression for Corey, helping him explore new ideas and find a greater sense of connection and wellbeing with himself and those around him.
When Nick recently returned from a cultural learning experience on Country, Corey surprised him with a painting of Guga (goanna), the Wiradjuri totem.
"It was pretty special," Nick says, who believes we're all richer for learning from one another and that passing on knowledge through storytelling helps keep culture strong.
"That's what we do. We tell stories, we hand down culture. We listened to our Elders, and they listened to theirs. We're tuned to pass down knowledge."
This NAIDOC Week, we're celebrating the power of culture, creativity and connection, and how it can unite people, shift perspectives, and create belonging and hope.
📸1: Corey left holding his artwork that he gifted to Nick right.📸2: Nick and his team celebrate NAIDOC Week.📸3: Nick's painting of a whale. 📸4: Corey left and Nick right, in front of a painting by Nick.
