Elizabeth "Queenie" Giblet

Elizabeth Giblet, known as “Queenie” by all at Lockhart, is one of the respected “Old Girls”. Queenie is also a gifted artist and her work has been exhibited both in Australia and overseas. Along with the other Old Girls, her work is highly collectable.

Queenie’s intricately designed painting – featuring one of her favourite subjects – Pa’anamu (Headbands) for Laura Festival, was on display in the National Gallery of Australia’s new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art gallery.

Artist statement: “Got that name Queen from when we came to Lockhart … when we moved from oldsite … it after that Queen Elizabeth. Old mission they call me Elizabeth. Born at old site … when that war was on. Can remember those planes come… sit quiet inside humpy …. camped out …. can’t make noise or fire … can remember they real low … see they fight morning … fly to airport …. Iron Range. One sister, one brother… Victor his name worked for church … Father Bob Tongarlie, Mother Mariam Tongerlie… they grew up before time… same Clarmont village. Have one son Charlie Giblett… I call him nalngka … two grandchildren too. My husband became Deacon in the 80’s …. passed away 1987 … can’t say his name … custom to us. Shell necklaces for them we pick ‘em up wimpa means sand beach … collect’em low tide bring ‘em home boil … take minya (meat) out … put that hole in that shell make necklace. Giddy Giddy beads … collect from bush … boil them salt water … giddy float when soft … ready. Those punya (grass dillybag) in the old days we used to carry yam … pipe … gear to make spear with … really strong. Ulku … from that palm tree we used to carry baby inside before time … olden days … before … rope to carry ulku … carry over the shoulder. When baby cry scratch that side of the ulku to stop them cry. My mother she used this to carry us when we baby … different today.”
The artist passed away in Cairns on July 22nd 2022.