Thomas Avery, Senior

Tom Avery Snr - born in Redfern, Sydney in 1948 - is a descendant of the Kamilaroi of northern New South Wales. Many of his ancestors were born at the Bohena Creek Aboriginal Reserve, Narrabri; many of the children were taken from their families and placed into institutions or with white families - The Stolen Generation.

Tom's totem is the Eagle and his Aboriginal name is Bagaay, meaning river or creek. He is known for his works on silk, canvas, stone and surfboards; his Indigenous designs on silk scarves were chosen as gifts for Commonwealth Head of Government (CHOGM) delegates in 2002.