Pauline Kilngarri Ryan Nanaku

Pauline Kilngarri Ryan Nanaku was born on Old Wave Hill Station (Jinparrak) in 1947. As a young woman, she worked at Wave Hill and Cattle Creek Stations as a domestic servant in the dining room and men’s quarters, washing and ironing, and milking the cows with her mother.

In 1966, following the lead of Vincent Lingiari, Pauline and her husband walked off Wave Hill Station to Daguragu. They have lived in Kalkaringi since that time. Pauline started painting and sewing at the Art and Craft Centre in Daguragu. She learned her Dreaming stories from the old people during ceremony. Pauline is a Founding Director of the Karungkarni Art and Culture Aboriginal Corporation. Pauline has been employed at Kalkaringi School and Kalkaringi Clinic. Performing women’s business, art and culture is a strong part of Pauline’s life.