Our History

Coomaditchie has long established itself as a centre for living First Nations culture, underpinned by values of education, social and cultural understanding and inclusion, arts participation, and community wellbeing. This has been driven by a deep connection to traditional stories expressed through artmaking. 

While the Coomaditchie name today is synonymous with local First Nations art, visible in many public artworks across the Illawarra region, the history of the lagoon, the adjacent settlement, and the people who lived there presents a far more layered and complex story. It is a story that has been significantly shaped by historical, social, and political decisions and events. 

The origins of the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation begin with two important people: Aunties Lorraine Brown and Narelle Thomas, whose roles have been central to the establishment and success of the Corporation as a centre of excellence for First Nations art and culture in the region. 

Coomaditchie’s journey into public art began in the early 1990s with a spontaneous act of creativity. A community worker, Sue Edmonds, arrived at Coomaditchie with brushes and paints, sparking an idea among the Elders to decorate the fences that lined their homes. Soon their timber palings were alive with handprints, kangaroos, and other wildlife motifs. 

Although some local media initially dismissed the paintings as graffiti, for the Coomaditchie artists, this was a meaningful act of cultural expression, bringing art, stories and community pride into the public eye.  

Their works quickly attracted attention. Geoff Peters, the new principal at the local public school, noticed the artists at work and approached them with an invitation: once the fences were complete, he wanted them to paint a mural at the school. Despite having never created a mural before, they accepted the challenge and brought the school wall to life with the bird of peace, the sun, the towering stack of the steelworks, a massive serpent, and lizards winding their way through the story. 

This mural marked Coomaditchie’s first formal public art commission. It was a milestone that opened doors to further opportunities. 

Adjacent to the Coomaditchie Lagoon is the Coomaditchie Mission. The Wodi Wodi people lived up on Hill 60 – not far from Coomaditchie Lagoon, till the war broke out. The army needed Hill 60 for strategic purposes and so the Wodi Wodi people were removed. Many people set up camp in the sand dunes along Port Kembla beach and around Coomaditchie Lagoon. They lived in sugar bag shacks and in any kind of shelter they could create. Later many people slept in their cars. Eventually, the mission houses were built and people could move into little weatherboard homes. It wasn’t till 1989 that the brick houses that are on the mission today were finally built. 

In the years since, Coomaditchie has remained home for many families. The land around the lagoon has become a place of healing, learning and connection. In the early 1990s, with permission, Aunty Lorraine Brown and Aunty Narelle Thomas led work to restore the area. Under the guidance of their Bush Regeneration teacher Tina Baine, they built a walking track from Coomaditchie Hall that loops around the lagoon. Along the way they added artworks and signs, and planted native species to stop erosion and bring the area back to life.

This work was about more than just caring for the land. It was about keeping culture strong and making sure the next generation stays connected to place. The track and surrounding area are still used today for school programs, community events and cultural activities. 

Since 2003, Coomaditchie has also run a community garden. The garden brings people together to grow fresh food and share knowledge. Volunteers from the community help care for the space. The garden also supports better health by giving the community access to fresh fruit, vegetables and bush foods. Native plants now grow alongside the food crops, supporting biodiversity and continuing the work of caring for Country. 

Since its incorporation, Coomaditchie has provided welfare and advocacy services for the local Aboriginal community — contributing to national efforts like Bringing Them Home and Closing the Gap. This includes early intervention support for young mothers and their children, assistance with housing, health and legal matters, and general welfare and referral services. The organisation has also been active in bush regeneration, community gardening, and cultural heritage programs that promote both environmental and social wellbeing. Locally, programs like the Ngaramura Project continue to support young people through culturally grounded education, mentoring, and pathways into further study and employment.

Art is a vital part of life at Coomaditchie — a source of cultural expression, community strength, and economic independence. Through painting, storytelling, and public art, the artists share culture, identity, and connection to Country. Their work includes major commissions, cultural programs, and projects with schools, creating opportunities for learning, pride, and cross-generational connection.

As part of its long-term vision, Coomaditchie is growing its social enterprise model to support economic independence for the organisation and the wider community. Revenue from art sales, public commissions, and cultural programs is reinvested into employment, training, and community-led initiatives. This model not only helps sustain current programs but also strengthens Coomaditchie’s ability to plan for the future with a goal of becoming a fully self-sufficient organisation.

Coomaditchie’s history is one of resilience, creativity, and connection. From painted fences to public commissions, from makeshift shelters to cultural hubs, the work continues — driven by community, for community, with a vision for lasting cultural, social and economic strength.