The Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation (CUAC) was established in 1993 and since that time has provided an opportunity for dozens of young Aboriginal people to benefit from training and find employment. Our long term goal is to become a self sufficient community by providing fee for service training, undertaking public art projects and by selling our unique artworks. 

The Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation is based in the old Kemblawarra Community Hall just south of Wollongong New South Wales. This is an ideal location for us as we are able to continue the role of our forefathers as the custodians of the Coomaditchie lagoon which is within our immediate environment.

Adjacent to the Coomaditchie Lagoon is the Coomaditchie Mission. Many of our mob lived up on Hill 60 – not far from here, till the war broke out. The army needed Hill 60 for strategic purposes and so we were moved. Many people set up camp in the sand dunes along Port Kembla beach and around Coomaditchie lagoon. They lived in sugar bag shacks and in any kind of shelter they could create. Later many people slept in their cars. Eventually the mission houses were built and people could move into little weatherboard houses. It wasn’t till 1989 that the brick houses that are on the mission today were finally built.

Our hall has historic significance. The Aboriginal Advancement League with all our Elders started in the hall.  It was also where dances and Christmas parties and wakes were held. Now it is our studio gallery – and we still hold many important meetings here.

The Coomaditchie Lagoon is the only remaining perched dunal lake in the Illawarra region and is listed on the national register of important wetlands.   It is one of the primary breeding grounds for the threatened Green and Golden Bell Frog. It is also the home to the Eastern Long-necked Tortoise, and an important urban refuge for a range of other reptiles, frogs and aquatic bird life, particularly pelicans.

The Artists

Lorraine Brown is the premier artist of the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation. Lorraine is a Jerrinjah woman born in Bega. One of 7 children. Lorraine views her ability to paint as gift.  She uses bold colours that reflect her coastal upbringing. “We’re East Coast Saltwater People” Lorraine says “My colours symbolize my life. I had a great childhood, great parents and family and extended family.”

My father's people were the people of Lake Tyres and they were the best eel fella’s.

Lorraine has six children, and plenty more foster children, 15 grandchildren and a huge extended family of nieces nephews and their kids.

Lorraine creates the designs and teaches, guides and mentors other artists. She says she wouldn't be able to do all the things she does if it weren't for the fact her husband 'Sonny' was so supportive.

Narelle Thomas is one of Lorraine’s sisters. Narelle is Lorraine’s key support worker. While Lorraine does the fine work Narelle fills in the details. “But I need to be able to see what Lorraine is thinking – otherwise it’s no good, I can’t go do it”. Lorraine and Narelle work like professional dancers, one leads and the other follows and no-one steps on any toes. You can see they have been working together for many, many years.

Narelle also has a large family. Four children and six grandchildren with more on the way. As with Lorraine, the kids always love hanging around with Nan.

Shane Brown is Lorraine’s third child.  He is also a premier artist. Shane works with the cooperative on large public projects but as an artist he works alone. Shane’s art reflects his life experiences and the fact that he is a deep thinker.

Allison Day. Allison has been working with the artists cooperative for several years, helping with individual artworks and also with large public projects. Under Lorraine’s guidance Allison has started to do her own paintings. Allison’s great love is working with clay. Her pots are sought after works of art.

Public Artworks

A pillar painted by the Coomaditchie Artists outside the Wollongong Courthouse.

Much of the public artwork is done collaboratively and with the intention to raise the awareness of Aboriginal culture. There are many mural in schools and there are two big pieces in a local hospital. Near the town hole there is a mosaic in the fountain which is on the site of an old watering hole. This piece was done in collaboration with a non Indigenous artist.  There are mosaics and murals on amenities blocks near many of the beaches around Wollongong and surrounds because Lorraine’s style and colours are so suitable to coastal environments.

A few years ago the artists were commissioned by the Returned Servicemen’s League (RSL) to do an interpretive art work for the War Memorial in Shellharbour. “We were really pleased to be asked. A lot of Aboriginals went to war, but on ANZAC day they weren’t allowed into the pubs - so their white mates would come to the Mission and have a drink with them here.”