Optus Commissions First Nations artists in Yarrabah as the relationship strengthens

At the centre of Gunggandji Country, located in far north Queensland, lies Yarrabah, a community with a deep and enduring relationship with the ocean—a connection woven through culture, identity, and Country.

For the people of Yarrabah, the sea is not just a landscape to be admired but rather a living presence, an ancestor, and a teacher, weaving lessons of connection and growth.

ater is a spiritual force – representing cleansing, continuity, and the flow of knowledge between Elders and younger generations, something we see reflected by the artwork that was commissioned by Optus for our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2026 – 2028.

What is Optus’ connection to Yarrabah?

Yarrabah is a vibrant First Nations community just 10 kilometres shy of Cairns, where the reef meets the rainforest.

To improve the mobile connectivity in the community, Optus commissioned one of Australia’s leading digital infrastructure companies, Indara, to acquire and build a new telecommunications tower at Yarrabah South. The project was funded with the support of the Australian Government under Round 4 of the Mobile Black Spot Program, the Queensland Government, and Optus. This tower demonstrates the impact of community, government and industry all working together to deliver meaningful connectivity outcomes for regional and First Nations communities.

Who are the artists and what does the art represent?

For the people of Yarrabah, shell life carries a profound cultural meaning. As you walk along the beaches and tidal flats of the community, the shells that can be found are not just simple fossils of the sea but vessels of memory - used in adornment, ceremony, song, and storytelling.

Within the Yarrabah Arts and Culture Precinct are artworks from celebrated artists such as: Edna Ambrym (proud Gunggandji and Kuku Yalanji woman), Christopher Harris (respected Gunggandji artist and master potter), Valmai Pollard (proud Gunggandji woman who has deep roots in the culturally rich community of Yarrabah), Michelle "Mickey" Yeatman (born and raised in Yarrabah and highly regarded contemporary ceramic artist), and Philomena Yeatman (proud Gunggandji woman from Yarrabah, celebrated as a master weaver) – all of who contribute to the enduring bond with sea and Country. The artists honour the heartbeat of their community, conveying a beautiful tapestry of a deep respect for the ocean, a recognition of water as both giver and guardian of life, as well as an understanding of shell life as carriers of story.

The artwork colours, patterns, and forms speak to the seasonal changes, the movements of tides, and the cycles of life that guide the community’s connection to the natural world, reaffirming the enduring relationship with their ancestors and the ecosystems which have sustained them for millennia.

Why we should celebrate these artists and their work

Australian culture is admired for its love of water and the sea – our beaches, our rivers, our lakes, our reefs. The people of Yarrabah, their ancestors, and the artists are the true custodians of sea Country, helping us understand that what we have here in Australia is something that is unlike any other country in the world because we are home to the oldest living culture on the planet.

The way these artists connect us to Country, the stories which are interwoven into the tapestry of Australian culture, and how we learn from these teachings are of vital importance and should be celebrated – not only this week for NAIDOC but well beyond, as they embody the resilience and power of the enduring spirit to connect.