For the past 30 years Bradley Steadman has worked within schools teaching language and culture, at the same time tackling new artistic challenges and finding ways to use culture as an anchor and a compass for his community.

These days he works for the Regional Enterprise Development Institute Ltd. (REDI.E) as the Language Officer and has been in that role for three years. But Bradley likes to describe himself as a language learner as he is constantly learning about language and culture.

He said it started when he was a small boy listening to his grandmother tell his stories. As he got older he would continue to seek out old people to learn as much as he could from them.

In 1992, long before Indigenous language programs became popular in schools, Bradley created, designed and delivered a language program for Brewarrina Central School. The program featured in a 1994 documentary called “Brewarrina Language program'.

Bradley became an integral part of the school's cultural learning and in 1995 he designed the school’s logo which is still used today.

After funding ran out Bradley was hired by the Brewarrina Cultural Museum as the Language and Education Officer in 1996.

The museum's managers then sent him back into the school under their funding to continue the program and for the next 10+ years he went back and forth between the Central School and St Patricks School bringing Brewarrina's next generation along on his learning journey.

The three colours of ochre found in Brewarrina's local ochre beds. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

These days Bradley has a full week teaching language starting with the adults at Orana Haven (rehabilitation centre) on Monday, St Patricks primary students on Tuesday, on Wednesday he goes into the preschool to teach the four-year-olds some language words and game playing followed by an afternoon dance group, he is at Weilmoringle Primary on Thursday and Brewarrina Central School on Friday.

Bradley has been working with Orana Haven since 2019, to teach the clients about culture to strengthen their connection to help beat addiction. He will take the men out on country to various cultural sights to teach them the history and the importance of culture.

“It’s not just about culture, I teach the men about geographical importance and genealogy," Bradley says. "All of these need to be taught to understand culture.”

This year Bradley brought the Clontarf Indigenous Boys Academy and Orana Haven men together to create a program to steer youth away from drugs and alcohol. He was invited in by Clontarf to engage with the boys and teach them about their family trees and where they fit in within families.

“It is based on Identity, Influences, Information, Intentions, and Impact," said Bradley. "So, we try to work around that, and we also work around dealing with emotions.”

Bradley (in checked shirt) on country with some of the men from Orana Haven. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

The children at the St Patricks School enjoy their visit from Uncle Brad every week.

Morris Sullivan who is the Aboriginal teachers aid says it is very important to have Bradley in the school.

“He is full of history and knows what he is talking about. He brings wisdom, history and culture to our school and the kids just love him,” Mr Sullivan said.

Bradley's lessons bring multiple local languages to life.

When he’s at Weilmoringle Primary School he teaches Murrawarri to the kids and their culture. At Goodooga Central he is teaching the Yuwaalaraay language and sometimes works with Tommy Barker who is a Kamilaroi man and the son of the very respected elders Roy and June Barker.

The dance group in shirts designed by Bradley. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

On Wednesdays after school Bradley teaches traditional dance to the young kids at the Brewarrina Youth Centre.

The dance group is called Brewarrina Waroowugagirri Dance group and have become a very well-known group within community, performing at many community events and opening days.

Three of the students recently performed in a music video, to a song is called Paradise by the South West Syndicate, that will be released soon.

Bradley says the community and giving back is very important to him. He not only teaches culture but has coached many of the football teams since 1996, and most recently he coached the girls league tag through a successful season. Since 2016 he has designed the teams guernseys.

Bradley with the girls' leaguetag team he coached. PHOTO SUPPLIED.

Bradley is a highly regarded multi-media artist and his repertoire includes photography and video production. In 2020 he created a film clip for the Sydney Festival called Gumbirrangarro (longest time) Dalanngarro (right now) and in 2017 he had a photographic exhibition in partnership with the NSW State Library.

Bradley has accomplished so much from his home base in Brewarrina, and his local community have a lot to owe to him for creating the language programs.

Through his constant connection to community and the many children he has taught over the past thirty years he has already left a lasting legacy. 

As his work continues Brewarrina hopes he has another thirty years to give. 

BELOW: Bradley Steadman the artist and lifelong learner.