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Don’s Art Ignites Pride with New Staff Shirts at Batchelor Institute
Home Don’s Art Ignites Pride with New Staff Shirts at Batchelor Institute
09 July 2025
4 minute read

Elder’s Vision: Crafting Cultural Pride for NAIDOC Week 2025

Don (Donny) McGinness, a revered Elder on Campus at Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education (RTO 0383), sat with his paints and brushes, bringing to life a design for new staff shirts inspired by the ancient story of Loondaroo and Pilitj-Pilitj. Launched on Wednesday, 9 July 2025, during NAIDOC Week 2025 on Kungarakan and Warai Country, the artwork embodied the theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.” For Don, this project was a bridge between Indigenous storytelling and community pride, celebrating cultural legacy through art.


Aboriginal Art Design: Crocodiles and Pilitj-Pilitj

Don shared his inspiration with quiet pride: “The story of Loondaroo, the Saltwater Crocodile, and Pilitj-Pilitj, the Rainbow Lorikeet, guided my design. It teaches respect for Country, a lesson for the next generation. My artwork shows two mirror images of crocodiles in crosshatch style Aboriginal art swimming in a river the vibrant colours of the rainbow lorikeet’s wings. The crocodiles represent Loondaroo’s strength, while the rainbow lorikeet—Pilitj-Pilitj—symbolise the transformation of those who ignored our Elders, aligning with NAIDOC’s call for strength, vision, and legacy.”

2025 Batchelor Institute Staff Shirts

Collaborative Creation: Blending Tradition and Education

Don’s design process was deeply collaborative, rooted in his role as Elder on Campus. He drew on the story of two young men who, ignoring their Elders’ advice to honour Loondaroo before crossing his river, were consumed by the crocodile. When Loondaroo was speared, two vibrant rainbow lorikeets (Pilitj-Pilitj) emerged, symbolising their transformation. Don consulted staff and students to ensure the shirts reflected Batchelor’s “Both Ways” philosophy, blending Indigenous knowledge with modern education. The crosshatch crocodiles and bird-wing-shaped river honour this story, urging respect for Country and Elders, a message resonant with NAIDOC Week 2025.

Elder’s Role: Guiding Cultural Integrity

As Elder on Campus, Don ensured cultural protocols shaped the project. “These shirts carry our stories forward,” he said. “They remind staff to teach the next generation to respect Country, as Loondaroo’s story teaches.” The design included the Batchelor Institute logo reinforcing the institute’s identity as Australia’s leading provider of Indigenous tertiary education. Don’s work aligned with the NAIDOC theme, emphasising the legacy of cultural wisdom for future generations.

Don’s Art: A Symbol of Cultural Pride

Don’s artwork, inspired by the Loondaroo story, was crafted over weeks to balance tradition and modern style. The sustainable shirts, worn by staff across Batchelor Institute, symbolised unity and pride in the mission of “Liberation through education our way.”