Queen Emma Timbery – a proud matriarch
![Timbery Image 2[46]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNTYwIDE3OTAiIHdpZHRoPSIyNTYwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE3OTAiIGRhdGEtdT0iaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZjdXJpb3Byb2plY3RzLmNvbS5hdSUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyMyUyRjA4JTJGVGltYmVyeS1JbWFnZS0yNDYtMi1zY2FsZWQuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjI1NjAiIGRhdGEtaD0iMTc5MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+)
Emma Timbery and others at La Perouse, (Source: Woollahra Local History Collection, Woollahra Libraries, Robinson, Leo Whitby – personal papers WLHC MS 3)
‘Queen Emma’, or ‘Granny Timbery’ as she was known, was renowned for her shellwork and had regular displays at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney and as far as London. Thought to be a practice encouraged by missionaries, Aboriginal women in the La Perouse area forged their own distinctive shellwork styles, often selling such wares as intricately designed baskets, boxes, baby shoes, and boomerangs.
![Timbery Image 3[18]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA1MjEgODUwIiB3aWR0aD0iNTIxIiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijg1MCIgZGF0YS11PSJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRmN1cmlvcHJvamVjdHMuY29tLmF1JTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDIzJTJGMDglMkZUaW1iZXJ5LUltYWdlLTMxOC5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iNTIxIiBkYXRhLWg9Ijg1MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+)
Emma Timberyat La Perouse, (Source: Woollahra Local History Collection, Woollara Libraries, Robinsn, Leo Whitby – personal papers WLHC MS 3)
A skilled fisherwoman, Queen Emma was also instrumental in sharing her language and culture, contributing to the preservation and revival of the Dharawal language.
Queen Emma’s skill and dedication lives on in her descendants, including great-granddaughter and renowned artist Esme Timbery.
![Timbery Image 1[8]](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAyNTYwIDE2MzciIHdpZHRoPSIyNTYwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE2MzciIGRhdGEtdT0iaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZjdXJpb3Byb2plY3RzLmNvbS5hdSUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyMyUyRjA4JTJGVGltYmVyeS1JbWFnZS0xOC1zY2FsZWQuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjI1NjAiIGRhdGEtaD0iMTYzNyIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+)
Hut at La Perouse (Source: Woollahra Local History Collection, Woollahra Libraries, Robinson, Leo Whitby – personal papers WLHC MS 3)
