Desert Gem generously donated containers of their aboriginal dot designed thongs to Centacare’s students and families. These thongs have been distributed to students across Centacare training sites and they help spread the beautiful aboriginal art among our community.

About Desert Gem

Desert Gem is an Aboriginal owned family business, founded by Vattesa Colbung. It showcases the many features of Aboriginal design philosophy, which is derived from the foundations of Aboriginal knowledge and history. Many of Desert Gem’s creative artwork ideas and colours originate from the visual and personal experiences captured from Vattessa’s family connections to country and richness of Aboriginal people and culture. Wherever the business is represented it is highly respectful of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage from which they draw inspiration from.

Vattessa Colbung is currently based in Perth, Western Australia and a proud descendant of Wagyl Kaip, South West Boojarah, Yilka and Wangkatja nations. She is a contemporary graphic artist and writer and shares many roles in the business. Vattessa values community-based activities across the Goldfields region, Perth Metro and South West region. Born in Kalgoorlie she acknowledges her Aboriginal heritage.

In 2017, Vattessa assisted and supported three Indigenous female youth within Kalgoorlie/Boulder who were trained in the Desert Gem modelling project over the duration of five months. The models wore Desert Gem’s “Nyuwaari” collection as first time designers in Kalgoorlie Fashion week 2017. In 2018, Vattessa a first-time author and publisher launched her children’s book, William Wijity “The life cycle of the witchetty grub”, written in English and translated to Ngaanyatjarra language. The book was launched at NAIDOC Week celebrations 2018, Kalgoorlie Western Australia.

Vattessa continues to support local Aboriginal people and has connected with remote communities that come within her realm of specialised services. Creating a diversity of highly valued contemporary designs. Their selection of products is authentically made and designed in Australia. We are grateful for Vattessa and team’s support for Centacare’s Kadadjiny Bidi Program and their mission to encourage Aboriginal culture among our community.

For more information about Desert Gem, visit their website: https://desertgem.com.au/