Leeann Pedersen

Wajarri & Nhanda

I was born in Carnarvon. My parents are Steven Kelly & Dawn Hamlett (nee- Flanagan). My language groups are Wajarri (Mother’s side) & Nhanda (Father’s side). I grew up between Carnarvon & Mullewa where my mother is from. My Father Steven worked on many stations & farms near Mullewa and the surrounding areas of  Carnarvon so my siblings and I lived a “bush life” as kids. When we were in Mullewa we ate the bush tucker such as the kangaroo, goanna and emu and when we came to Carnarvon we ate the food from the ocean after many fishing adventures  with Aunty Dulcie Barney (R.I.P). I remember when we moved into town into a State Housing house and my Mother gave me these shiny objects in my hand and I said to her “what is this?”. She told me to go for a walk with my cousins to town and they showed me how to trade the shiny objects to get an ice-cream. I didn’t know  what money was, but I soon learned.

The Kelly Family come from “Nhanda Country” – Northampton/Kalbarri area. I am back in Carnarvon again to stay for a while and it’s always good to come back. My Father Steven Kelly is still living here. My brothers & sisters always come back for a visit.

I like to paint stories from my life events and places I have been. I am also a photographer and enjoy taking pictures of  the bush, nature and landscapes.

Some of my Artwork has been in exhibitions in Geraldton and my artwork was also in the “Nganang Badimaya Wangga” Exhibition in 2017.

While employed by the Irra Wangga Language Centre in Geraldton, I have also illustrated posters and books.