Possum Skin Cloak Project

Recognising the large First Nations population within Gippsland, GCASA has sought ways to work closely and meaningfully with the First Nations community in the region.

This was initiated by the community working beside Bianca Pezzutto, GCASA’s Community Development Worker. Bianca has worked with the community for many years and has modelled the trust and cultural connection in every way in the development of the Possum Skin Cloak Project, working beside Auntie Gina Bundle OAM and community members.

“We talked firstly to the community in East Gippsland about how they could best connect with us as a non-First Nations service. We spoke about ways that we could support them as a community,” GCASA CEO, Jane Barr recalls.

“From our conversations, the First Nations community put forward the idea of liaising with us on the creation of our Possum Skin Cloak Project initiative. In the First Nations culture, possum skin cloaks hold deep significance for their connection to storytelling, identity, and Country and are also regarded as a foundation for healing, which has obvious symmetry with our organisation’s work.”

The original aim of the project when it commenced two years ago was for the First Nations community to create a possum skin cloak for display in GCASA’s office in Bairnsdale, which could be placed on their laps, or worn by clients whenever there was a need to benefit from its healing qualities.

Workshops held in Lakes Entrance to create the cloak, utilising the talents of First Nations women and children, were facilitated by Auntie Gina Bundle. Not only is Auntie Gina renowned for her tireless advocacy work for Victoria’s First Nations community, but she is also a highly sought after possum skin cloak maker and most notably was the facilitator responsible for the creation of the Victorian Treaty Commission possum skin cloak.

“Our initial collaboration with the First Nations community for the cloak for our Bairnsdale office was very special, and we were so delighted with the outcome that with their support, we then applied to extend the project to gain funding for three more possum skin cloaks for our other Gippsland offices,” Jane reveals.

Workshops to create the three additional cloaks were conducted between February and April this year and were again facilitated by Auntie Gina Bundle with participants from the community. »

“Auntie Gina has been the main artist and creator on this project, but so many in the First Nations community in our region have generously given their energy and time to make the possum skin cloaks,” Jane says.

“A lot of work has gone into producing them for us and we are extremely appreciative. The detailed artwork on each cloak is symbolic of the First Nations People to reclaim cultural practices of possum skin cloak making. The feedback we have received suggests that the First Nations artists have also found the project a very rewarding experience to be involved with and the younger ones in particular gained a deeper understanding of their heritage in the process,” she adds.

The project culminated with a series of ceremonial handover events during April and the beginning of May in locations chosen by the community.

“Each of these beautiful possum skin cloaks now take pride of place in our Morwell, Warragul, and Wonthaggi offices, along with the earlier cloak produced for our Bairnsdale office. The cloaks will stand as a permanent reminder of this important and meaningful collaboration between GCASA and the First Nations community in our region,” Jane concludes.

A brief history and meaning of the possum skin cloak

In south-eastern Australia, possum skin cloaks were once worn by First Nations People throughout their lives. They would be wrapped in a few skins sewn together as babies and then as they grew, more skins were added. They were etched and painted with the owner’s stories of clan and Country and used to keep them warm and to carry babies. Often at the end of the owner’s life, they were wrapped in them for burial.

Today, possum skin cloaks are still an important part of the First Nations People's culture across the same region, although they are now made using modern methods and have different uses. Generally, elder’s stories are painted on the cloaks and they are used for comfort and healing.

Possums are protected in Australia, so the skins are ethically sourced from New Zealand where possums are an introduced species without any natural predators, and the animals are larger so fewer skins are used. gl