LESLEY MURRAY: A LIFE DEDICATED TO ART, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY

Lesley Murray’s path through life has been shaped by her strong commitment to art, culture, and community.

Starting in Newcastle, she met the father of her children and moved to Tasmania, where her connection with the Palawa people began. “That’s where I became a mother and I started connecting with community and the Palawa people in Tasmania,” she shared.

It was in Tasmania that Lesley truly began to understand her Aboriginal identity, an experience that would influence her work for years to come.

While raising her children, Lesley faced challenges and worked hard to honour her family’s legacy. “I wanted to be the first to go to university and actually graduate,” she said.

Her desire to finish her Bachelor of Arts degree was not only for herself, but also to pay tribute to her grandparents. Alongside this, Lesley found support from a powerful woman in her life—her ex-mother-in-law, Beverly Burns, who encouraged her to pursue her degree despite the demands of motherhood.

“She helped me with that strength,” Lesley recalled, highlighting the importance of having a strong support system.

Lesley's contributions to art and community were later recognised when she was nominated for the WA Women’s Hall of Fame. “It’s about time you’ve been recognised for your contribution to art in Western Australia,” she was told when the announcement was made.

Her ongoing work in Aboriginal art and community engagement, especially with the women of Roebourne, has been transformative. “How could I not honour the incredible women in Roebourne if I didn’t stand strong down here with the Aboriginal women?” she said. Lesley Murray’s life is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of community.