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USC honours Indigenous artist-educator
A Yandina artist and educator who has welcomed thousands of students, staff and dignitaries to the University of the Sunshine Coast over 15 years will himself be welcomed as an Honorary Senior Fellow on Friday night.
Lyndon Davis will gain the prestigious title on Friday 1 October at USC’s second graduation ceremony for 2010.
USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill, who will present the award, said Mr Davis had contributed his talents, skills and knowledge to USC in a variety of ways.
These ranged from reconciliation negotiations and the Indigenous Education Symposia to teaching students and visitors about bush tucker and traditional culture.
Mr Davis founded the Gubbi Gubbi Dance Company in the mid-1990s. It regularly performs traditional welcomes at significant events at the University, which is on Gubbi Gubbi land.
Professor Hill said Mr Davis was well-respected by students and staff who appreciated his knowledge of Indigenous issues, history and customs along with his demonstrations, from didgeridoo-playing and dancing to storytelling and art.
Born in Nambour, Mr Davis was raised on the Coast by his grandmother who taught him the stories of the old people.
The 36-year-old’s performances and paintings reflect those stories and the connections with fauna, flora and landscapes of his homelands.
“I’m grateful for this award and I think the old people I’m representing would be pleased with the work I’m doing,” Mr Davis said.
“It also acknowledges a change in attitude that I’ve seen in the Sunshine Coast community over time.
“More people want to know about Aboriginal culture and our connection to country. We have many more opportunities now.”
Mr Davis said his dance company had been involved with USC since giving a boomerang-throwing demonstration when the Sippy Downs campus opened.
“I know the importance of education and I have the knowledge of my forefathers, so it’s my responsibility to pass that on to school and university students who are just learning about the world.”
He is pleased that many USC degrees include Indigenous courses.
Artwork by Mr Davis has been exhibited in Europe and South America and is held in many private collections.
He was commissioned by Ford America in 2005 to create a painting for auction for tsunami victims and was commissioned by Queensland Health in 2006 for a painting now on display at Nambour Hospital.
The Gubbi Gubbi people are custodians of the area from Pine River in the south to Burrum River in the north, including Conondale Ranges to west.
— Julie Gatehouse