Our Animals, Our Country

Overview

Our Animals, Our Country features artwork by acclaimed Gudanji, Wakaja and Kalkadoon artist Ryhia Dank, aka nardurna, whose distinctive style captures the movement, spirit and significance of animals in Aboriginal culture.  

This stamp issue celebrates the Gudanji language during the UNESCO's International Decade of Indigenous Languages, a global initiative dedicated to preserving, revitalising and promoting First Nations languages around the world. 

Through art, storytelling and shared knowledge, this issue invites Australians to engage with the living languages that have shaped culture and connection to Country for tens of thousands of years.  

Ryhia's work reflects the deep relationships between language, land and storytelling. She is an Ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) – an organisation that works with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities to support literacy through culturally relevant books and learning resources. Australia Post has proudly partnered with the ILF since 2020, helping deliver books to Communities across Australia and supporting programs that celebrate language and culture.  

"I'm so excited and proud to have my Gudanji language included as part of the collection. There is something really special about seeing our language out in the world and becoming part of people's everyday lives. Knowing these words will travel across the country, into homes and communities, alongside my artwork makes this collaboration incredibly meaningful to me and my family," says Ryhia. 

The artwork highlights six native animals and their Gudanji names, sharing an important part of language and cultural knowledge. Jurrgubadi (Goanna), Darrmanji (Brolga) and Mardumbarrayi (Saltwater Crocodile) appear on stamps. These three animals, as well as Jagurrugurru (Emu), Gulamandarrina (Long-necked Turtle) and Marraji (Red Kangaroo), feature on other collectables. Ryhia explains: "With this collection, I really wanted each animal to have its own personality while still feeling like it belonged to the broader story. For me, Our Animals, Our Country is about celebrating what makes this place so special: our animals, our landscape and the connection between them.