Who We Are

Story of Luke’s Artwork

In 2023, we decided to tell the story of Thirrili through an artwork that would reflect our spirit and intent.

We chose artist Luke Penrith to complete this very special project. Luke lives in Brungle NSW, and his roots trace back to the Wiradjuri, Wotjobaluk, the Yuin and the Gumbaynggirr Nation.

The collaborative design process took a few months. In the final piece, Luke used his unique style to capture the essence of who we are and what we do. Symbols and colours connect Thirrili with Country, reminding us that caring for ourselves mirrors caring for Country. Yellow dots represent flames – warmth, knowledge, and the light of hope and remembrance. Rivers reach out in all directions, emphasising connection and outreach. Ripples, both on land and in water, echo the impact we have on the communities we’re a part of. Luke’s design is a patchwork of diverse landscapes – mountains, desert, islands, rainforest, freshwater and the sea – showing that Thirrili embraces and respects all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their ties to culture.

We’re thrilled with the final result and extend our gratitude to Luke for sharing his incredible talents and creativity.

Artwork by Luke Penrith
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Artwork credit
Thirrili by Luke Penrith, 2023
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Thirrili is a Bunuba word from Western Australia, meaning power and strength. Channeling this energy Luke Penrith created a bespoke artwork to represent the intention and spirit of Thirrili.

In the center of the artwork we see the warmth and knowledge from fire, representing the lighting of a flame for someone who has passed, a light of hope and remembrance. We come together and mourn together. This community connectedness is a theme that is embedded deeply into the artwork.

Surrounding this heart, we see the circular green ladder, our fish trap, representing outreach. This is both the invitation from community to Thirrili to support them in their greatest time of need, and the reach of Thirrili to provide culturally led healing and trauma informed care. Thirrili advocates and holds space in this journey for communities to step back into their own power and strength.

Wrapping around this outreach story are the eight rivers of self-determination. They track the pathways through the community-led health and wellbeing journey. They reach toward the start of life symbol in the lower right corner, to the end of life symbol in the top left corner. These elements include representation of all our peoples from the mountains to the desert, the Islands to the rainforest, from freshwater to salt water, each unique in culture and beliefs, and their journey through this world.

Between these two symbols are the yarning circles, meeting places and support systems Thirrili embodies. From the top middle, around in a clock-wise direction:

  • Advocacy: We listen, and support coordinated responses with our families and communities. Thirrili is invited in to advocate and hold space in their greatest time of need.
  • Creation: Supporting families, linkages, belonging, creating safe spaces, advocating and building relationships.
  • Strength and determination: Building self-determination and systems that change with ways of knowing, being and doing that build community strength. Connection: Connection to country, nature and seasons, balance, community, family, kinship and ancestral knowledge.
  • Community centered: Working at the invitation of the community including yarning together and a place where everyone belongs (male, female, intersex) prompting collaboration and community-led collective impact.
  • Representation: Ensuring representation and inclusion of all people this is to ensure that we are always able to show that Thirrili is truly inclusive and respectful of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their connection to culture, from the mountains to the desert, the Islands to the rainforest, from freshwater to salt water, each unique in culture and beliefs, and their journey through this world.

Surrounding the circular river, that is wrapping around our fish trap/outreach element is the blue area holding our people and spirits. Referring to Thirrili’s services and expertise in supporting communities through experience and knowledge, and also to our Elders coming together to offer strength, wisdom, guidance and support. There are themes of family, kinship and connection.

Surrounding our Elders is the orange area (desert and inland), our ripple-effect, representing Thirrili as a change agent. Working with Governments, peak bodies, and organisations on culturally tailored postvention practices, and making change to impact community, creating a ripple effect of action and change. Within this area is also the flames, representing lighting a flame for someone who has passed, light of hope, people come together and mourn together. Sharing the same meaning as the central fire.

This ripple-effect is echoed through the green area (hills, mountains and plains) representing the life, growth, regrowth, hope, journey and purpose, and onto the blue area (oceans and waterways). Thirrili continues to make ripples, impact and change with their holistic service working with families and communities, working towards healing.

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Artist’s biography
Luke Penrith’s ancestry is connected through the Wiradjuri, Wotjobaluk, the Yuin and the Gumbaynggirr Nation. His passion is mentoring and nurturing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers and supporting Aboriginal businesses. Lore, culture and heritage are paramount to Luke. His art reflects what he sees, hears and can smell and touch; he is a modern contemporary Aboriginal artist living in Brungle NSW. Luke’s bloodlines are connected through the rivers, the mountains, the coastline and the plains.
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