Place leading process and practice
Weaving Water @ Yarun 2025: Creativity, care and connection after the storm
on 24 November 2025, just days before the start of Weaving Water @ Yarun, a devastating storm tore through Bribie Island. Trees were uprooted across the island, power was lost in many areas for up to six days, leaving human and the more-than-human community in shock. As clean-up efforts continued, uncertainty hung over whether a creative residency focused on water, ecology and connection could go ahead at all. The grounds at the Bribie Island Retreat and Recreation Centre had seen a lot of tree damage, along with many areas of the island, in particular Woorim.
Here are some of the wonderful moments captured over the 11 days ❤
Against this uncertain backdrop, Weaving Water @ Yarun 2025 did go ahead — not unchanged, but deeply shaped by what the island had just experienced. With many of our community members contributing to the 11 day program, it was important for people to be able to still talk to insurers, clean up debris and recalibrate after the storm. Also some of our sites were not accessible due to the damage caused by this random weather event. With the sub theme of “resilience” the participants, contributors, local community and visitors were asked to flow with this process out of respect.
Hosted by Treecreate Studio in partnership with Pumicestone Indigenous Education and Employment Council, the program brought together eight visiting artists from the USA, UAE, Germany, Aotearoa New Zealand, South Australia, New South Wales and regional Queensland, alongside local day participants from around the region. While some events and facilitators were affected by the storm’s aftermath, what unfolded was a quieter, more responsive and deeply relational program — one grounded in listening, care and adaptation.
Some highlights:
- It was a real honour to have Kim Tilley, a Joondoburri Traditional Owner, environmental scientist and weaver join us for many of the events. During the residency, Kim found time to connect with Darren Jew from Bribie Island Environmental Protection Association (BIEPA) for a strategic conversation about future collaboration. This dialogue has opened the door to stronger community engagement, advocacy and environmental activism at a broader scale — a reminder that some of the most powerful outcomes of Weaving Water happen between sessions, in conversation and shared intent.
- Aunty Sharron mirii Bell also played a vital role, delivering two workshops that helped anchor the flow of the program. Her contributions supported participants to move through the residency with cultural grounding, reflection and care — qualities that felt especially important in the wake of the storm.
- One of the most meaningful outcomes of this year’s program — came through youth participation. Michelle Watson offered three PIEEC jarjum youths — Jacob, Leyland and Ronnie — to assist with catering and food preparation. Supported by Holly Woodford, a PIEEC committee member and qualified chef, the young men gained hands-on experience during the residency. Two of the boys went on to trial and successfully secure paid positions at a local café during the program. This outcome speaks directly to Weaving Water’s commitment to creating real pathways, skills development and local opportunity across generations.
- Creative and place-based highlights included a 4WD tour, offering participants a deeper understanding of Yarun’s fragile coastal ecosystems.
- Presentations from Maggie Buxton from AwhiWorld and local plant enthusiast Ben Timmings from Gondwana Surveys
- Ongoing collaboration between artist Trudy Lane and the BIEPA shorebird group also continued, strengthening links between creative practice and citizen science.
- Another highlight was visiting Nungeena Aboriginal Corporation for Women’s Business – a beautiful retreat for First Nations women where they can connect, create and heal. Nungeena also looks out to Beewah, the mother mountain in the creation stories of the region, and holds powerful significance for women. Much gratitude to Aunty Hazelle Mace and Michelle Watson for creating this space for our artists.
And so much more ❤
Our 2025 cohort
Visiting artists this year included Ali Williams (USA), Bronwin Patrickson (SA), Gabrielle Quakawoot (QLD), Kim Robertson (UAE/UK), Leanne Thompson (NSW), Sandra Bekker (Germany), Tamsin Kerr (QLD) and Trudy Lane (Aotearoa NZ) — each bringing distinct practices and perspectives that enriched the collective experience. They were joined by local day participant artists and researchers who contributed workshops and presentations over the 11 days.
With gratitude ❤
The program was made possible through late but crucial support.
Busy Fingers assisted by paying the accommodation costs, while Brooke Savige contributed funds from the MBRC discretionary fund – contributing to the 4WD tour. Further sponsorship from Ethos Global Foundation supported the participation of Gabrielle Quakawoot and will fund PIEEC places in Vanuatu for Weaving Water Vanuatu 2026, strengthening regional and international connections. Big thanks to everyone who volunteered their time – especially Aart (Yvonne) Williams – your energy and insight was incredible!
In a year marked by disruption and recovery, Weaving Water @ Yarun 2025 became less about delivering a fixed program and more about responding — to weather, to place, and to community needs as they emerged. What remained constant was a shared commitment to care for water, Country and each other through partnership, kinship and respect.
As Bribie Island continues to heal, Weaving Water leaves behind not just knowledge sharing and connections, but strengthened relationships, new opportunities for young people, and a deeper sense of what it means to listen to water and each other — especially in times of change.
Treecreate 