Australian South Sea Islander embroidery workshop

Come and discover Australian South Sea Islander cultural design in an embroidery and applique workshop to celebrate Australian South Sea Islanders Recognition Day.

Suitable for beginners to advanced stitchers, you’ll have the opportunity to embroider and applique 1 of 9 different designs on a calico square.

Participants are invited to donate their embroidered and appliqued motifs for the second Australian South Sea Islander commemorative quilt. This story quilt will feature the history of Benjamin Boyd, who blackbirded 65 pacific islander men to work within his whaling and pastoral industries in NSW in 1847. The second quilt will be donated to the City of Sydney as a symbol of inclusion, healing and reconciliation for Australian South Sea Islander families.

The first quilt is nearing completion and will be on show at the workshop. The first quilt will be donated to the Museum of Australian Democracy in Canberra in August 2024. 

The workshops are facilitated by Australian artist Helen Fraser and the Yumi Olgeta: Crafting a More Inclusive Democracy team. Yumi Olgeta, meaning 'you and me all together', is a unique embroidery collaboration project between Helen, Australian South Sea Islanders Port Jackson in Sydney.

The workshops are free and all materials are provided.

Bookings are essential as spaces are limited for each workshop.

We aim to deliver inclusive and accessible events. If you have any particular access or communication needs, please contact Lorraine Ventura, Youth Team Leader on 02 8512 8771.