The meanings behind 2022 Darwin trophies

The first official Indigenous Round will also feature bespoke didgeridoo-inspired trophies.

Place-getters at the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown will receive special trophies for their efforts.

The trophy artworks were designed by Trent Lee, Josef Petterson, Les (Lipuwurrunga) Huddleston and Tony (Duwun) Lee.

Trent Lee

Trent Lee, a Larrakia/Wardaman/Karajarri man from Darwin, also designed the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown Shield.

"For the first didge I painted a crocodile (Danggalaba) on the front with a long-necked turtle at the back,” Lee said.

"They represent saltwater and freshwater. Crocodiles can live in saltwater and freshwater, and long-necked turtles live in freshwater.

"Larrakia mob are often referred to as saltwater people, but we are freshwater, too, with rivers and estuaries heading as far inland as Manton Dam.

"I chose a snake for the second didge. The tail is near the mouthpiece and the head is down near the bottom where the sounds comes out.

"It’s my son’s dreaming, and important for me to share. We have pride in our culture, and have not forgotten our ancestors, and are actively involved in passing this knowledge on from generation to generation.

"The third didgeridoo represents the Kulpalwa (frog) clan. In the Larrakia people’s Dreaming story Ngartba-Ngartba frogs were responsible for creating significant sites and wildlife in Larrakia Country.

"The artwork embraces my style and connection with Country. I’m always proud to represent my family, my community and my culture."

On the overall shield, Lee added: "The bands on both sides of this shield represent both freshwater and saltwater.

"Larrakia mob are often referred to as saltwater people, but we are freshwater, too, with rivers and estuaries heading as far inland as Manton Dam.

"In the middle is a big cross which signifies all the Larrakia people and how we are one mob. Crosses are used in many Larrakia artefacts and they feature a lot in my artwork.

"The concentric circles on either side of the cross symbolise my sister’s dreaming, Star Dreaming, and how it’s connected to mine. Stars are like a guide and offer protection.

"There are a lot of elite drivers in Supercars, and these symbols on the shield are protection for the driver who wins the 2022 Merlin Darwin Triple Crown.

"It is such an honour for me to paint this shield, and a privilege to be able to express myself and represent our people and our culture here in Darwin.”

Josef Petterson

The experienced Petterson’s grandmother is Gurindji (Victoria River) and Wardaman (south-west of Katherine), and his grandfather is Wagadadam.

"Two of the didgeridoos have crocodiles painted on them, along with saltwater and freshwater fish,” he explained.

"The crocodile is my totem and because it’s my totem it gives me strength. While the styles of each artwork are different, the meaning is essentially the same.

"The crocodile is one of the Larrakia’s biggest dreamings, and it’s important that they are represented in a big event such as Supercars. Like the crocodile, you need a lot of focus and strength of mind to be an elite Supercars driver. The crocodile is the king of his domain in the water (so you better watch out) and these drivers are the kings of the racetrack.

"The third piece of artwork focuses on all the different fish in Darwin. There’s catfish, skinny fish, rock cod and barramundi, and they symbolise the abundance of food in the oceans and rivers and streams.

"The artwork shows the importance of our natural environment, and connects us to Country. It’s great that we have the opportunity to share some of our culture."

Les (Lipuwurrunga) Huddleston

Huddleston is an artist from Roper River in the Territory. He was born in Penrith, but moved back to Darwin in 1971.

"All of my designs revolve around billabongs. One features a barra and a snake,” he said.

"Another highlights a freshwater turtle and a goanna, and the third depicts the Mimi Spirits and a brolga. When the monsoonal rains come the billabongs fill up and freshwater meets the saltwater.

"When they meet, fish and turtles come in and breed. That billabong turns into a life source for Aboriginal people that go down and drink water and hunt for fish, and in the mornings snake and goanna also get a feed, eating the fish and turtles. It’s a significant place.

"There is a lot of coming and going around a billabong, and I thought it was a perfect symbol for all the movement at Hidden Valley. Billabongs are also round, a bit like a racetrack.

"I chose the Mimi Spirits because they represent caring for Country. In the Dreamtime, these spirit beings looked after the land and animals. They showed the importance of our Country and how maintaining our natural environment is important. Another one of our Dreamings is the brolga, which is a reminder of the beauty and necessity of the natural world.

"It is a massive deal to be a part of Supercars. These drivers, with their talent and skill, possess superpowers a bit like our spirit people, and I hope our didgeridoos are a great reminder not only of Aboriginal culture but of their time here in the Territory."

Tony ‘Duwun’ Lee

Lee is a Larrakia man from Darwin; he is an exhibiting artist and a healer.

"For the first didgeridoo all the lines in the artwork are the songlines and dreaming lines crossing the country,” he said.

"My basis for art is traditional – governed by traditional protocols – but I find ways to bring it to contemporary society.

"The painting I chose for the second didgeridoo is a story about my son hunting for stingray with a spear. Stingrays are an important food source. They are hunted using spears from boats or are stalked while moving through shallow waters. Stingrays are treated with respect and seen as a powerful symbol of strength, stealth and status in the oceans.

"The kangaroo is a unique Indigenous Australian animal, and this artwork is a visual representation and statement of authority and respect for Larrakia Country and our ‘lore'.

"Aboriginal lore/law requires respect for the cultural authority of the Traditional Owners. My aim as a Larrakia artist is to keep Larrakia creation stories, patterns and spirit alive, and that our culture is respected and shared."

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