Elizabeth Richards Book Box Seasons

Elizabeth Richards Book Box Seasons 

These sturdy classroom storage boxes are the ideal size for general book and paper storage.

'Seasons' Book Box is ideal for storing your Indigenous resources, learning about the environment or simply adding some beautiful Australian colour to your classroom or library.

• Dimensions: 17cm wide x 25cm deep x 28cm high (back), 17cm high (front)

This specially commissioned artwork was created by DJ Mate, an award-winning contemporary Indigenous artist.

DJ Mate was inspired by the traditional stories of the Dharawal People as told by Frances Bodkin in her book The Annual Cycle The Season of Ngoonungi .

The story progresses round the box as the weather changes from cool to warm.

Start your journey as the Ngoonumgi, Grey-Headed Flying Fox, gather in vast numbers as the sun sinks below the horizon.The tree of the Peacemaker, Boonah, flowers. The refreshing nectar from the flowers is used in ceremonies of peace – wherever the Boonah grows there is the experience of peace and calmness.The sound of the Gugagara (Kookaburra) can be heard throughout the bushland as they challenge each other over territory.

A description of each illustration and its significance is included on the back so you can share this beautiful story with your class. 

Then we follow the possum footprints to the front panel of the box as the snarling, growling sounds of their nocturnal battles can be heard.

The flowering buds of the Waratah paint the landscape with splashes of brilliant red. The nectar is gathered and this gift is given to young babies who are unwell.As we move to the right hand panel gentle rains are falling. Restrictions on eating shellfish, prawns, crabs, yabbies’ and lobsters are lifted and feasting on the beaches occurs.

The clans gather to celebrate the time of plenty with ceremonies.