Mandy was born in Healesville and is a member of the Wurundjeri-willam clan of Melbourne with connections to the Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illam Wurrung language groups of the Central/Eastern Kulin Nation on her father’s side and German on her mother’s. Mandy has two daughters, Dharna and Ky-ya who are also very in touch with their culture and are great examples of strong Wurundjeri young people.
Mandy is a recognised artist, having produced carvings, etchings, prints, airbrushed works, ceramic pieces, murals, corporate logos, children's clothing and public art works over the last 25+ years. She gained a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Aboriginal Archaeology in 2011 and has worked for the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages for 6 years and is now a PhD candidate studying how Aboriginal people connect to Country, off Country. She is also a mentor to young Indigenous girls, through learning and teaching of culture, language, dance and ceremony.
Mandy is the leader/singer of the Djirri Djirri dance group. Djirri Djirri is the Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) name for Willy Wagtail, a little black bird known to ‘dance’ all the time. Djirri Djirri dance group offer dance that is a contemporary interpretation of Wurundjeri culture with the essence of traditional dance/ceremony. All dances have a story about creation, family and Country. I am lucky enough to be a part of this dance group with my older and younger cousins as well as my aunts. The children are encouraged to sing and dance and we often have my little cousins some as young as 6 on the microphone together signing in language.
Mandy is also a Woiwurrung specialist, helping revive a language that has been sleeping for many generations. She passes her knowledge on to everyone and it is clear to see her influence as a cultural leader and mentor in the community.
If it weren’t for Mandy I wouldn’t be half as close to my culture as I am. I often tell people that I always felt like something was missing and that when I joined her dance group and was able to dance my culture with my family I finally found that missing piece. She also inspires me to try and learn my language as I feel that will also help me feel closer to country.