ABOUT GEOFF MANTHEY

I am a descendant of the Kooma Tribe of south-west Queensland.Cunnamulla is my hometown and is where I grew up and spent my early adult life.

The traditional way of life was all but over for my people back then as most of them had been dispossessed of their land or forced to live on camps and reserves on the outskirts of town. I grew up living right beside the Warrego River with family, relatives and friends. I learnt how to swim, fish and hunt on the Warrego, or so I thought, that is until the old people showed me how to do it the proper way. Every spare moment I had, I would go along the river hoping the old people would be there so I could listen to their stories and learn some of the knowledge that had been passed down to them.

I left Cunnamulla in my early twenties to go down to Moree in NSW for one day, but finished up living on a mission there for 15 years. It was in Moree that I first saw an old friend of mine doing a canvas painting. He gave me a bit of an idea about the colours, symbols and his story while he painted. He could see my interest and asked me why don't I do a painting myself, you must have your own stories to paint, and so it was there that I got my inspiration to paint and now 15 years later I am still painting.

It is satisfying to me when young people ask me how to do a painting or make and paint a didgeridoo or boomerang and see that look of pride on their faces when they have finished. It's worth it.