Connecting Young Carers to Country Through the Art of Traditional Weaving
During a recent collaboration between Little Dreamers and the Museum of Brisbane, Young Carers had the opportunity to engage in a heartfelt and enriching Traditional Weaving Workshop led by Yuggera and Biri artist Jody Rallah. The session began with a warm circle gathering that included Jody, the Museum of Brisbane and Little Dreamers staff, and the Young Carers. To ease into the day, Little Dreamers Coach Rebecca Smalley led engaging icebreakers, encouraging everyone to share a bit about themselves.
Using the metaphor of a tree rooted firmly in the ground, Rebecca asked the Young Carers to reflect on the people, places, and things that offer them support in their lives. Their answers ranged from loved ones and pets to even their mobile phones—a lighthearted yet meaningful reminder of the diverse sources of comfort young people rely on. Icebreakers like these not only encourage conversation but also get the Young Carers into a habit of identifying and leaning on the various supports they can draw upon within their lives.
At the circle’s heart lay an assortment of natural materials, thoughtfully gathered by Jody, including raffia sourced from Raffia palm trees and aromatic leaves like basil. Jody also introduced the group to gumbi gumbi leaves from Gurang Country, known for their medicinal properties, and shared a pot of lemon myrtle tea for everyone to taste. The Young Carers seemed to enjoy the sensory experience of engaging with the scents and textures of the various leaves as well as the taste of the aromatic tea. This experience served as a gentle introduction to the importance of connection to Country- an essential concept in First Nations’ cultures and the symbiotic relationships between humans, the land and its resources.
Jody spoke passionately about the significance of weaving, describing it as “a chance to open dialogue.” She explained that working with your hands creates space for thoughts and emotions to flow naturally and that weaving is “a conversation of threads,” drawing relationships between the land, the materials, and the people. Jody reflected, “Weaving is very much a representation of the journey of life and the vessels we create within ourselves—understanding who we are as people, the world around us, and the connections we share with humans, non-humans, and Country.”
Throughout the session, a quiet sense of camaraderie developed as the Young Carers chose from an array of colourful strings and learned to twist and loop the raffia into the shape of a basket. Conversations unfolded organically—some talking about their day-to-day lives, while others focused quietly on the rhythm of their hands. It was heartening to see meaningful connections develop among the Young Carers as they worked with their hands, admiring each other’s work and sharing laughs. A big part of Little Dreamers’ mission is to create opportunities for Young Carers to engage with and feel a sense of community with each other. It’s incredible how the simple act of creating side-by-side can bring people together, and we are so grateful to the Museum of Brisbane and Jody for creating that space for us.
Little Dreamers deeply values its ongoing partnership with the Museum of Brisbane, whose staff have always been welcoming and supportive, opening their doors to creative, educational opportunities for Young Carers. The positive feedback from participants after each event reflects the impact of these experiences—blending culture, art, and community into a space where Young Carers feel seen, heard, and valued.
Attending the workshop felt like we were decorating time and space together in a meaningful way. We all came together to honour the wisdom of First Nations cultures and collaboratively planted the seeds of connection in the hearts and minds of Young Carers, hoping they continue to develop these ties to the Country and to each other.
Written by Gurpavan, Young Carer Counsellor, Little Dreamers
Photos by Atmosphere Photography
