A Man Called Yarra

‘I’m a Wathaurong man. I’m an artist who draws on life in this big red and yellow and black country.’ Stan ‘Yarra’ Yarramunua: artist, musician, actor, social worker, businessman. From growing up in poverty in Swan Hill – and sometimes on the road, with his itinerant father – Yarra had a tumultuous and often rough childhood. He learnt early how to lift a wallet or two, and grew into a ratbag who looked set to follow in his father’s footsteps: fall into one too many skirmishes with the law; have one too many drinks, sliding down the path to alcoholism. Yet after years of addiction, Stan gave up drinking, discovered painting and found his true name of Yarramunua. Soon he was selling his traditional paintings, and hand-crafted clapsticks, didgeridoos and boomerangs, at markets across Melbourne. He opened one of the first privately owned Aboriginal art galleries in Australia, and represented Indigenous artists from around the country, including from the desert regions. Today, Yarra is an internationally renowned artist and performer. But he hasn’t forgotten his roots: he is committed to improving the lives of Aboriginal kids in his home town, and has helped many young Indigenous men find their way out of addiction and despair. This is an inspiring story of a remarkable man overcoming hardship, striving for a better life, and reclaiming his ancestry.

About the Author :
Yarramunua started painting over 20 years ago. He began by selling paintings, didgeridoos and clap sticks at markets and galleries. This led him to building relationships and representing Victorian Aboriginal Artists. Over many years, Yarramunua worked in the desert and had the opportunity to build stronger relationships with Aboriginal Desert Artists, so he began representing those Aboriginal Artists in Melbourne too. ​​After years of doing markets and setting up and being part of exhibitions, it became apparent that he really needed a gallery to house and exhibit this fine art work. And so in 2008, Yarramunua was proud to open among the first Aboriginal privately owned and managed galleries in the world, at 500 Collins St, in the heart of Melbourne CBD. Soon after, in 2011, he opened a country cousin gallery in Daylesford. In 2016 Yarramunua opened a gallery in the hip and busy heart of St. Kilda located at 149 Acland Street St Kilda. ​Yarramunua has graced the stage of MCG, done several commissioned works for private companies and charities and continues to paint and represent artists in Art Yarramunua Gallery from across Australia. Robert Hillman’s memoir, The Boy in the Green Suit, won the Australian National Biography Award for 2004. His 2007 biography, My Life as a Traitor, written with Zarah Ghahramani, appeared in numerous overseas editions. His first collaboration with Najaf Mazari, The Rugmaker of Mazar-e-Sharif has been a set text in many schools. He is also the author of Gurrumul: His Life and Music and the novels Joyful and The Bookshop of the Broken Hearted. Robert Preston is an Australian actor and graduate of the prestigious NIDA drama school. His first acting job out of drama school was the role of Drake on the award-winning US Fox sci-fi adventure TV series Terra Nova. He also appeared as Colin in the ABC series Redfern Now alongside Leah Purcell and Les Chantery, as well as a lead role as Lucas Freeman in the feature Crushed for Brim Pictures. Theatre credits include Yellamundie Playwriting Festival and the production Mother Courage and Her Children, directed by Wesley Enoch for Queensland Theatre.

Review :
'Yarramunua recounts his early years with a touch of nostalgia ... a rewarding and inspiring tale.'