My Grandmother, Moilang Rosilind Annie Ware by Cheyanne Yamashita

My Grandmother, Moilang Rosilind Annie Ware

Cheyanne Yamashita | Year 9

Name: Moilang Rosilind Annie Ware (known as Rosie)

Country: Torres Strait Islander, Australia Occupation: Contemporary Visual Artist Designer

Can you share some memories from your childhood?

Growing up on the beach at Holloways Beach (north of Cairns in Far North Queensland).

Can you remember some key experiences in your life that shaped you?

Starting primary school (Cairns North Primary School) and attending Grade 8 to 10 at Cairns State High School shaped my life from my early beginnings. Then I went to Cairns Business College and completed a diploma course before getting my first job in Canberra when I was only 17 years old.

What are you most known for?

Being a visual artist.

What are your greatest achievements?

Having my two daughters because they were born healthy; just seeing my grandchildren because they are healthy; and mixing in the art world and meeting lots of people through my art.

What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

I hope that my family and partner will stay happy and healthy. I also hope that my children and grandchildren will have a good education and get good jobs that pay well, and they will be independent.

Who inspires your art?

I was born with a natural talent that I didn’t know I had until over the years it developed through being creative in my garden and in my life. This creativity just grew, inspired by where I live in this beautiful paradise on Thursday Island.

What does culture mean to you?

Culture is how we live in the environment. It is the manner in which we do things as a family. It’s my lifestyle, being a Torres Strait Islander and, above all, looking after the Elders and caring for each other. For example, when someone passes away in our community, we don’t put a tombstone up for the first year. Instead, we cover the grave with things the person liked; for example, shoes, purses. At the funeral we wear floral shirts and island dresses and colours or team shirts that the person loved. After someone has passed away, the in-laws (brothers and sisters-in-law) are responsible for organising the funeral to allow the immediate family time to grieve. Then, after 12 months, we take these items home and a tombstone is unveiled. The family holds a dinner to thank the in-laws for their contribution and to signal the end of the grieving process.

Have you ever experienced racism?

It was the early 1970s when I was in grade 3. I grew up at Holloways Beach. When we moved into Cairns town and I went to Cairns North Primary School, the teacher and kids were already in class and there were no Indigenous kids in the class; it was all white Australians. The headmaster took me to the class and introduced me to the class. Ms Boil welcomed me and sat me down next to this white Australian girl who started pinching me from under the desk. She did it three times, and after the third pinch, I decided to pinch her back. After me pinching her back, she stopped.

What challenges have you had to overcome?

Challenges that I have overcome is having two daughters without having my mum around. I had to read books about how to take care of a baby. Another challenge was being a Torres Strait Islander businesswomen, which is still is a challenge to me. I have survived, but there are always challenges for me.

What was your childhood like?

It was WONDERFUL. I HAD ABSOLUTE FREEDOM, growing up at Holloways Beach. I didn’t have a lot of friends, but with the friends I had, we would go fishing, swimming in the seas, and make cubby houses. We loved looking for berries in bush, staying outdoors all day and coming home when it was all dark.