SHE was recently named winner of the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence at the 2026 First Nations Arts and Culture Awards, but for Bundjalung artist Bronwyn Bancroft it has been a long and at times difficult journey.<\/p>\n
Now 68 and based in Mullumbimby, the mother of three is preparing to share her story at the upcoming Small SHIFT: I Will Survive at the Byron Services Club on Tuesday 21 July.<\/p>\n
Hosted by comedian Mandy Nolan, the evening will bring together seven women across seven decades of life, each presenting a seven-minute story of survival to raise money for The SHIFT Project women’s homelessness charity.<\/p>\n
“Life has always consistently presented challenges \u2013 in my case as an independent woman, a Bundjalung woman and a woman who has raised children as an artist,” Bancroft said.<\/p>\n
“It is my intention to touch on events in my life that have presented immense hardship to overcome and how I managed those ordeals.”<\/p>\n
Born in Tenterfield, Bancroft left school at 17 to study at the Canberra School of Arts.<\/p>\n
She went on to establish her business Designer Aboriginals Pty Ltd in Sydney in 1985, providing training for young Aboriginal women across all areas of business, including sales, handmade jewellery, sewing and silk screening.<\/p>\n
“My aim was for creative and financial autonomy,” she said. “Many businesses profit off Aboriginal knowledge and I believe in creating a shared destiny with benefits for many.”<\/p>\n
Bancroft’s artworks are held in major Australian galleries, state libraries and private collections, and have been featured in prominent public spaces including Central Station and the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney.<\/p>\n
She has also illustrated more than 50 children’s books over the years and was commissioned by the ABC to design the set for Play School’s first Acknowledgement of Country episode, which aired during NAIDOC Week in 2019.<\/p>\n
Bancroft is also involved in the recently launched Bundjalung Aboriginal Business Network, which supports Aboriginal businesses and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations across the Northern Rivers, providing a formal structure to connect, collaborate and access economic opportunities with local councils.<\/p>\n
Other speakers at the Small SHIFT: I Will Survive fundraiser include activist Zara Noruzi, who was imprisoned and tortured by the Iranian government, Byron Shire councillor Elia Hauge and community advocate Noelle Lyndon-Way.<\/p>\n
Tickets are $40 and are available via Humantix.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SHE was recently named winner of the Red Ochre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Artistic Excellence at the 2026 First Nations Arts and Culture Awards, but for Bundjalung artist Bronwyn Bancroft it has been a long and at times difficult journey. Now 68 and based in Mullumbimby, the mother of three is preparing to share […]<\/p>\n