In the past 20 years, global warming has seen a vast change in kelp and seaweed growth around Flinders Island, Cape Barren and Big Dog Islands, contributing to the erosion of seabeds. Big storms whip up sand and shells, and toss them onto the foreshore, sometimes burying shells or sweeping the beach clean. Necklace makers have noticed that kelp is very scarce where any recreational activities affect previously undisturbed areas. In one particular bay there is an abalone fish farm where the fish spat are artificially fed. The spat that escape the fish farm attract parrot fish, which also consume maireener shells.
Mum and I first made necklaces together in the late 1980s and at this time I learned how she cleaned the maireeners, putting them outside to attract insects. A few years later, I gained new hints from my mother-in-law on threading, using different threads for certain shells. Today, the necklaces of my mother, Valerie MacSween, and mother-in-law, Dulcie Greeno, are held in museum and art gallery collections, along with my own. I have shell necklaces in most major museums and art galleries around Australia. Maintaining Tasmanian Aboriginal women’s cultural practice promotes custodianship. By
The effect of global warming on water temperature will also affect spawning and survival of the maireener shells.
teaching the skills associated with necklace-
My knowledge of shell necklace-making came directly through my family. It was my great grandmother, Granny Laura, who taught my mother how to collect, clean and make the shell necklaces.
living resources.
My first memory as a young girl is of walking on the beach with my mother and Elders during the muttonbird season. I remember going to the beach with Mum and her friends, and my Aunty Dolly teaching me the craft by a very dull kerosene light.
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making, future generations continue significant traditions and knowledge of their environmental
Aunty Lola Greeno is a Pakana shell artist, arts worker, curator and educator born on Cape Barren Island and based in Launceston.
Below Shell necklace made by Aunty Lola Greeno. This necklace was purchased by the Australian Museum with funds from the Gwendoline West Bequest.