Sharing the Stories of Yarrabah,
One Experience at a Time...

Elverina Johnson is a highly respected Gunggandji Gurugulu and Indinji Gimuy woman from Yarrabah, Far North Queensland. Renowned for her multifaceted contributions to the arts, she has dedicated over 30 years to visual and performing arts, including roles as a singer, songwriter, playwright, actor, photographer, and artist.

Artistic Endeavors

Elverina’s vibrant and bold artworks draw inspiration from her rich cultural heritage and the natural beauty surrounding Yarrabah. Her designs have been showcased in prominent fashion events, such as the First Nations Show at the 2021 Sydney Fashion Festival and the 2021 Brisbane Fashion Festival. In 2022, she collaborated with Australian retailer Taking Shape to launch a capsule collection featuring her unique prints, bringing her art to a broader audience.

Community Leadership and Advocacy

Beyond her artistic achievements, Elverina is a dedicated community leader and advocate. She has represented her community at the United Nations, addressing issues faced by Indigenous women, and is a Graduate and Fellow of the Australian Rural Leadership Program. Her commitment to cultural preservation and empowerment is evident through her work with youth and Elders, promoting cultural respect and integrity.

Awards and Recognition

Elverina’s significant contributions have been acknowledged through various awards, including:

•National NAIDOC Artist of the Year (2017)

•Yarrabah International Women’s Day Woman of the Year (2018)

•Rona Tranby Trust Award

•Queensland’s Smart Women/Smart State Award for Community Innovation

Pink Fish Brand

Elverina is also the founder of “Pink Fish,” a brand aimed at representing her community and the Gunggandji people. Through Pink Fish, she shares stories passed down from her ancestors, offering First Nations designers and models opportunities to participate in the fashion industry and promote cultural narratives.

Online Presence

To explore more of Elverina’s work and stay updated on her latest projects, you can follow her on Instagram:

Interview with Elverina Johnson

For deeper insights into Elverina’s journey and perspectives, you can watch her interview with the Cairns Convention Centre:

ABOUT YARRABAH

DISCOVER A HIDDEN GEM OF FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

Nestled along the breathtaking coastline of Far North Queensland, Yarrabah is a vibrant Aboriginal community rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. Home to the Gungganji people, this unique destination offers visitors an authentic and immersive cultural experience unlike anywhere else in Australia.

A PLACE OF DEEP CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

For thousands of years, the Gungganji people have called Yarrabah home, passing down stories, traditions, and knowledge through generations. Today, the community continues to thrive, preserving and sharing its deep connection to the land.

Visitors can:
✅ Engage with local Aboriginal artists
✅ Explore sacred landscapes
✅ Listen to Dreamtime stories that reveal the spiritual significance of the region

BREATHTAKING NATURAL BEAUTY

Surrounded by lush tropical rainforests and pristine coastal waters, Yarrabah is a nature lover’s paradise. The region is home to:
🌿 Diverse wildlife and native bushland
🌊 Stunning beaches and walking tracks
🏞️ Sacred sites with cultural significance

A THRIVING ARTS & CULTURAL SCENE

Yarrabah is renowned for its thriving arts community, where talented local artists create:
🎨 Paintings
🎨 Weavings
🎨 Ceramics
🎨 Traditional crafts

VISIT YARRABAH WITH PAPERBARK ARTS & CULTURAL TOURS

At Paperbark Arts & Cultural Tours, we invite you to experience Yarrabah in a way that only traditional custodians can offer.

🌿 Join us for:
👣 Guided cultural journeys
🎨 Interactive art workshops
🦀 Bush tucker experiences
🫳🏻 Hands-on storytelling and traditions

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The Team

Dorita Wilson

Gungganji Elder

Dorita Murgha Wilson is a respected cultural elder from Yarrabah and the mother of renowned artist Elverina Johnson. Her deep traditional knowledge enriches our cultural tourism experiences. Her authentic storytelling offers visitors unique insights into local heritage.

Elverina Johnson

Founder & Owner

Benjamin Johnson

Manager

WE WILL GIVE YOU AN EXPERIENCE

YOU WILL NEVER FORGET...

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What Visitors Are Saying

Elverina Johnson generously invited our team of models, mentors, designers, photographers, videographers, set producers, hair and make-up stylists to her country, Gunggandji country. We were welcomed and humbled by her warm embrace and invitation to her newly established Paperbark Exclusive Arts and Cultural Tours. Surrounded by creatives including bead workers, artists, musicians, performers, and mothers’ groups, we shared knowledge and respect for country. Elverina involved her elders and community throughout our one-week stay, offering traditional knowledge and support to ensure we followed cultural protocols while creating new works. I am forever grateful to Elverina and her family and friends who supported our very first independent First Nations Fashion and Design performance, Walking in Two Worlds, which premiered on December 11, 2020.
Grace Lillian Lee
Designer
Elverina Johnson generously invited our team of models, mentors, designers, photographers, videographers, set producers, hair and make-up stylists to her country, Gunggandji country. We were welcomed and humbled by her warm embrace and invitation to her newly established Paperbark Exclusive Arts and Cultural Tours. Surrounded by creatives including bead workers, artists, musicians, performers, and mothers’ groups, we shared knowledge and respect for country. Elverina involved her elders and community throughout our one-week stay, offering traditional knowledge and support to ensure we followed cultural protocols while creating new works. I am forever grateful to Elverina and her family and friends who supported our very first independent First Nations Fashion and Design performance, Walking in Two Worlds, which premiered on December 11, 2020.
Grace Lillian Lee
Designer
Elverina Johnson generously invited our team of models, mentors, designers, photographers, videographers, set producers, hair and make-up stylists to her country, Gunggandji country. We were welcomed and humbled by her warm embrace and invitation to her newly established Paperbark Exclusive Arts and Cultural Tours. Surrounded by creatives including bead workers, artists, musicians, performers, and mothers’ groups, we shared knowledge and respect for country. Elverina involved her elders and community throughout our one-week stay, offering traditional knowledge and support to ensure we followed cultural protocols while creating new works. I am forever grateful to Elverina and her family and friends who supported our very first independent First Nations Fashion and Design performance, Walking in Two Worlds, which premiered on December 11, 2020.
Grace Lillian Lee
Designer

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