Murrawarri/Ngemba woman Lily Shearer celebrates 40 years in Cultural Arts & Community Development, Performance and Theatre making, Producing and Arts Administration in 2021. A land-based storyteller on the unceded lands of Ngemba & Gadigal peoples, Lily collaborates with communities, emerging and established artists of all genres, enabling stories for the stage, festivals, music, installation and film.  Lily’s practice of enabling First Peoples leadership and ownership initiatives is at the core of all her works, including the establishment of Moogahlin Performing Arts (2007). A process outlined in Protocols of Engagement: ‘Community Cultural Development’ Encounters an Urban Aboriginal Experience (2009). This process provided leadership opportunities for local First Peoples Australian performance practitioners and provided new opportunities for emerging local First Peoples Australian theatre makers and practitioners.

Lily’s practice is deeply embedded in Cultural Values and beliefs of Murrawarri/Ngemba peoples, instilled to her by her Grandparents, Parent and community of Brewarrina where she was born and raised.  Commencing in Cultural Arts as a Dancer, Lily also attributes her diverse knowledge and Cultural Arts practice to the University of Elders that she has so fortunately worked with over the past 40 years in Brewarrina, Redfern, Glebe, Blacktown (Mt Druitt) and Sydney’s Greater West.  These collective wisdoms inform Lily’s practice looking at the holistic self of First Peoples and PLACE Making to include physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual well-being in relationship with Mother Earth, who sustains all life with food, shelter and clothing.

Lily was a CreateNSW Fellow (18/19), Ros Bower Award recipient (2016) and alumni of the British council’s Accelerate Program (2012). 

PHOTO BY JAMIE JAMES

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