Lucy Malirrimurruwuy Wanapuyngu

Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts

My name is Lucy Malirrimurruwuy Wanapuyngu I was born at Mainoru cattle station 01 July 1955. My mother is Rosie Nardin Dhagapan. After living at Mainoru for four years, I moved to Roper River. I was living in Roper for eight years. I was not able to walk. I had to hide inside the house because I had an incident in the ceremony ground. Elders adopted me and they looked after me. Balanda (white people) came from Sydney and looked after me. Nancy was looking after me until the special doctor came from Adelaide to make me better. All of my family moved to Roper and was staying there. Djardi, Florence Bertie, Vera and Sam Ashley were all staying there in Roper. From Roper we moved to Galiwin’ku by plane. I got married at Galiwin’ku to Ian Wurruwul then we moved to Gapuwiyak with five children. I also have three grand children. I’ve learnt to weave with some of the women who taught me. I have travelled around Australia and even the USA to share my culture and show my work.