From netball to art, Susie Agoston has found ways to bring Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities together
Whether it’s through sport, art or culture, Mosman’s Citizen of the Year Susie Agoston works tirelessly to foster communication and understanding between Indigenous and non- Indigenous communities through the charity she founded in 2015, Oneland.
“My hope is that we can bring different cultures together for a deeper understanding,” says Susie, a Mosman resident, of her philanthropic work. “I feel I am able to learn and continue learning from my Aboriginal friends and love sharing this with our local community.”
With a background in book publishing, creative arts teaching and filmmaking, Susie first made friendships with the Aboriginal community of Brewarrina in the outback region of NSW when she was working pro-bono with an Indigenous book publishing company, and was introduced to the local Elders.
Over the next decade those friendships strengthened, and Susie asked the Ngemba Elders if she could bring the girls she was coaching from the Mosman Netball Club to play netball with the children in Brewarrina.
One of the trips was documented in a film Susie directed, Oneland Dharrmbungi Marrangigi, showing the girls travelling 1,600km to play netball, swim together in the river and form friendships. “It’s my dream come true watching those girls out there play together,” Susie says in the documentary. During the trip the girls also met the Elders, and learned about their culture and heritage. At the end of the film, the Brewarrina girls travel to Sydney to participate as a team with their new friends in a fun run.
Susie is also involved in giving Indigenous artists a platform to share their stories and culture, and has held many exhibits at the Mosman Art Gallery and even one in Munich, Germany. Oneland is a member of the Indigenous Art Code for ethical practice for Indigenous Artists and Susie has an exhibition at Chatswood Library displaying Gamilaraay children’s Cultural artworks, which runs until 8 September.
“I was invited by the Elders to join the children in the remote community of Collarenebri to help create 90 artworks depicting the sacred carved trees in the Bora Grounds of Collarenebri,” Susie says. “We hope the exhibition brings joy, and an awareness and aesthetic of cultural traditions. We also hope we can raise resources so that the children from Collarenebri will have the opportunity to travel to visit Chatswood Library and see their Cultural artworks on display.”
In addition to the arts and sport, Susie also organises a charity goodwill truck for children in remote communities. “When we have enough funding (hopefully once or twice a year) we hire a truck and open the doors at 7am for donations of bikes, helmets, footy boots and musical instruments,” she explains. “We then drive the trucks that afternoon and the next day for 900km directly to a remote community.”
Susie explains that over the years, Oneland has delivered hundreds of bikes and nine pianos to communities including Brewarrina, Lightning Ridge and Walgett, with the next truck on 14 September leaving Mosman for Collarenebri. “We are seeking a piano tuner who is up for an adventure,” she adds.
“Being awarded Citizen of the Year is a great opportunity to thank all of our volunteer Cultural Advisors, ambassadors, board members and the many other supporters we have over the years,” she says. “I hope this recognition brings some perspective to, and helps people treasure the incredible beauty, knowledge and deep soul of our fellow Australians who have survived with their fine Lores and care for sustaining Australia’s environment for over 120,000 years.”
The next goodwill truck will be loaded on 14 September from 7am (until the truck is full) at Top Tune, 7 Canrobert Street, Mosman. Donation of bikes, bike helmets, football boots and musical instruments are welcome.
Visit oneland.com.au
