Stories in the Gum Trees | 2026

Stories in the Gum Trees is an original hand-sculpted artwork inspired by the quiet moments I spend walking through the bush and noticing the stories happening all around me.

There is one particular gum tree along my favourite walking path that I always stop for. I trace the lines in its bark, follow the branches towards the sky and wonder what these old trees have witnessed over their lifetimes.

These days, I share these walks with my little boy, Maverick. I love slowing down with him, pointing out the birds, trees and tiny details around us. Seeing Country through his curious little eyes has made me notice even more myself.

This artwork grew from those moments.

Within the branches, I imagined the birds as little storytellers — the Willy Wagtail carrying messages, the Superb Fairy-wren tucking stories beneath the leaves, and the Kookaburra greeting each new day with laughter.

Stories in the Gum Trees is about slowing down enough to notice — the movement between branches, the changing bark, the birds appearing and disappearing, and the little lives unfolding around us.

Most of all, it is about the stories held within Country and the joy of sharing that connection with the next generation.