Made in Australia

Dawn Duncan-Smith

Since the (Covid) pandemic began, we've all been seeking ways to ignite our spirits and nurture our well-being. Reflecting on my childhood, I find myself transported to a world where boredom was a stranger.

Our days were filled with magic and discovery — making mud pies that looked like delicious desserts, constructing secret hideaways from cardboard boxes, climbing towering trees like brave explorers and playing lively ball games with neighbours.

Holidays meant camping adventures, sometimes on farms, where we mingled with gentle farm animals, gathered eggs like treasure, and marvelled at the dance of birds and fluttering insects through our binoculars.

From a young age, I learned valuable skills from loved ones —my mother’s gentle guidance in cooking, sewing, and knitting shaped our family’s wardrobe — which has had a lasting impact on my adult life.

Made in Australia is a heartfelt textile exhibition that weaves stories of childhood memories into a vibrant tapestry of imagination.