Echuca College celebrates culture

Echuca born-and-raised, Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara, Ngadjonji and Taungurung woman Emma Bamblett’s work has been broadcast from the local community to across Australia.

Mrs Bamblett opened Kinya Lerrk in 2019, selling products from First Nations businesses and artists.

“(I’m) very fortunate enough to do art and highlight Aboriginal culture,” she said.

“I did Njernda’s 50th anniversary branding, I started Kinya Lerrk.

“I got given the opportunity to do North Melbourne’s jumpers, so this will be my fourth year in a row.”

Mrs Bamblett brought along her North Melbourne Indigenous guernsey designs from 2024 and 2025 to show students.

Guiding First Nations students and a friend of their choice, she ran visual arts workshops, particularly focused on the design of a school shirt.

“I’ve already started looking around at designs and kind of mapping it out,” Mrs Bamblett said.

“They’re doing their own designs to contribute to a school design that represents Echuca College.

“The leaf from the school logo ... I’ve seen the long-necked turtle and the river.

“A lot of symbols of belonging, connection, family ... nearly every second one there’s the Aboriginal flag.”

Students Arnika Lamb and Phoenix Larsen-Eagleton were inspired by Mrs Bamblett’s story and enjoyed putting their creative visions onto paper.

“You can get to anything in life, no matter your background or your story,” Arnika said.

“We both did rivers ... we’ve got tracks going to and from the river.”

Mrs Bamblett was thrilled to work with the group, feeling a sense of connectedness being back in her hometown guiding the young artists.

“It was a lovely morning, Uncle Rick set the scene with a beautiful Welcome to Country,” she said.

“It’s always nice to hear language, which set the scene for then when I spoke to the kids about my art journey ... everything reflected on the possum skin cloak, we’re doing that activity too.

“We’re learning cultural practices but doing it in a modern, contemporary way.”

Family and community were invited to celebrate at a whole school barbecue to round out the day.