Madeline Purdie

Born 1975, in Wyndham, Madeline Purdie is a dynamic leader, artist, and cultural advocate dedicated to preserving and empowering her Gija heritage. Her early education at Ngalangangpum Primary School in Warmun and later in Broome laid the foundation for a lifelong commitment to strengthening her community and keeping cultural traditions alive.

Madeline is a pillar of leadership in Warmun, having served as a Director on the Warmun Art Centre Board, a former Chairperson, and the Manager of the Warmun Aged Care program. She has also held leadership roles as both Director and Chairperson of Warmun Aboriginal Community Incorporated. A key figure in cross-cultural leadership and cultural event production, she ensures that both Gija and broader audiences engage with the depth and beauty of her people’s traditions.

Currently, Madeline is on a year-long leave to develop a family business focused on unique cultural tourism experiences, including special tours to Argyle Mine and Violet Valley. This venture reflects her ongoing commitment to sharing and preserving Gija culture through immersive, on-country experiences.

As an artist, Madeline has exhibited in numerous group shows and has held several solo exhibitions. Her paintings depict the landscapes of her ancestral country, capturing the Ngarranggarni (Dreaming) stories passed down from her grandparents in Norton Bore and Violet Valley. She explores themes of bush tucker, animals, traditional medicine, and the cultural significance of the Argyle mine closure. A skilled carver, she also creates intricate bird sculptures from Boab nuts and Jarlalu wood, blending storytelling with natural materials from her Country.

As one of Warmun’s esteemed bush medicine experts, Madeline facilitates workshops on the making of bush medicine oils, creams, and tinctures, ensuring the survival of generations of healing knowledge. She frequently ventures out on Country to collect seeds and bush tucker, deepening her understanding of traditional practices while passing this wisdom on to others.

Madeline’s dedication to land and cultural renewal is also reflected in her leadership of the Two-Way Women’s Healing Camp, an annual gathering that brings together hundreds of women from across Australia. Now in its 10th year, this transformative event merges traditional and contemporary healing practices, strengthening community bonds and fostering cultural resilience.

Through her art, leadership, and cultural teachings, Madeline Purdie continues to inspire, heal, and pave the way for future generations, ensuring that Gija knowledge, traditions, and stories endure