Dorothy Peters (2002)

Dorothy Peters (Aunty Dot) was taught the art of basket coiling in the traditional way from her mother and grandmother.  She is one of only three living custodians of traditional Aboriginal basket coiling in Victoria.

For over 20 years, Dot’s basket waving has enable her to bring her culture alive, teach others and pass it down to future generations through workshops at TAFE colleges, Museum Victoria, festivals and community organisations.

International delegations from Japan, Malaysia, Canada and Britain have visited Aunty Dot at her home, or have attended her basket coiling and culture workshops at Galeena Beek Aboriginal Cultural Centre and the Oonah Indigenous Learning Centre.  Her works has been commissioned by Museum Victoria, Koorie Heritage Trust and acquired by private collectors.

In 1999, Dot was awarded Elder of the Year Award and Community Persons Award in 2001.

In 2002, Dot was awarded the Australia Council Red Ochre Award. This award pays tribute to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist who throughout their lifetime, has made outstanding contributions to the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, at both national and international levels.

The presentation of the Red Ochre Award was held in at the Australia Council for the Arts, Sydney in December 2002. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts board chairperson, Dr Richard Walley OAM hosted the presentation ceremony.