Identity Education and founder
Leanne, the founder of Tribila, identifies as a Wiradjuri and Celtic woman and finds strength through art, particularly in landscape drawing and creative writing.
Born on Ngarigo Country (Snowy Mountains), she spent her early years with her First Nations father and non-Indigenous mother, residing in various parts of New South Wales. During her childhood, Leanne frequently wrote letters to her grandmother and illustrated the diverse landscapes where her family lived, as they moved often. Her cherished memories include catching yabbies and cooking them with her Wiradjuri grandmother while visiting her uncles and cousins.
At the age of 10, following her parents’ separation, Leanne returned to the Snowy Mountains, Adaminaby, where she predominantly lived with her Scottish/Irish mother and grandmother. She moved out on her own at the age of 15. She was very close with her grandmother and often visited Adaminaby, enjoying the drive on the Naas Road through Namadgi National Park and Yaouk Nature Reserve.
The Australian landscape, particularly the mountains, rivers and valleys have been a continual source of inspiration for her artworks. Furthermore, the Murrumbidgee River, which flows through Ngarigo Country into her father’s Wiradjuri Country and now Leanne’s home on Ngambri-Kamberi, Ngunnawal Country, significantly influences her creative writing, as the rivers provide diverse life to all three nations.
Leanne has had her own business since 2012 and began working within government elevating First Nations voices since 2015. First Nation sectors Leanne has worked in have been:
Yurauna Centre- Yurauna is CIT’s dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Educational Centre of Excellence, providing tailored Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander courses and study support.
Girrawaa Arts Centre- First Nations art centre for people in custody to develop their artistic profile which assists their economic independence and successful return to the community upon release.
EORA TAFE Redfern- Community education centre focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education and training, while at the same time, is welcoming of students from other backgrounds. Leanne developed the WUURRA Cultural Arts program, winning a TAFE Gili award in 2022.
Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) – Member of the First Nations Expert Reference Group (ERG), providing advice on:
- Artificail Intelligence (AI) in schools: Standard feasibility study
- Educational Quality Standards for edtech.
To arrange Tribila to create:
- a program with digital designs
- artwork, business logos and email signatures
- landscape artwork of your region
Email to arrange a meeting and quote: tribilaculturalartseducation@gmail.com
Leanne founder of TRIBILA
Artist and programs author
“It was not until the later years of my life that I realised how important education was for our communities. Creativity was an important tool for me and something I drew on at a young age to get me through life’s struggles. Cultural arts is a subject that strengthened my soul, building my understanding of identity and the importance of understanding yourself.
Being a Cultural Arts teacher opened the doors for me to learn more about education and its power to change lives within community. Today I advocate for quality education that embodies many voices that stem from policies designed by like-minded people.”
All programs follow National Cultural Protocols detailing the difference between Visual Arts and Cultural Arts.
Other course contributors
Dapeng Wang
Mr. Dapeng Wang translated ‘Old Spirit River’ into Mandarin language. Mr. Wang Dapeng, also known as lay Buddhist ‘Yiliao’ is determined to transmit the heritage of intangible Chinese traditions and culture abroad and provided culture advice for Tribila when developing ‘Old Spirit River’ program.
Gerard Dwyer
Gerard Dwyer is an Enthusiast for reptiles, the Australian bush and is passionate in learning the importance of conservation. Gerard Dwyer developed a research document on the Eastern Water Dragon for ‘Old Spirit River’ program.
Natasha Robinson
Natasha Robinson is a conservation biologist whose research looks at improving the conservation of threatened species. Natasha Robinson provided extensive research skills for Tribila when developing educational programs and validated various program information while providing a personal research paper in her expertise when working at Booderee National Park, in Jervis Bay territory.
Adam Klumper
Adam Klumper grew up in the Snowy Mountains of NSW. He enjoys traveling the world and taking photo’s on his travels. Living in the High Country provides Adam an environment that has limited light pollution. This has captured Adam’s passion and night time photos are his favourite subject.
