In a shed on a rural property outside Churchill, on traditional Gunai Kurnai land near Morwell in Victoria’s Gippsland, Aboriginal artist Mick Harding is burning symbols onto a wooden shield.
Mick is tracing the spreading wings of a wedge-tailed eagle – a native bird found right across Victoria.
“The wedge-tailed eagle is a really popular image that people like to buy from me. And here in Victoria, it is really well known as well,” Mick says.
“They have a nest nearby in the bush, and we often see them looking for tucker."
Mick burns traditional symbols into wood Credit: SBS / Scott Cardwell
“I never knew about my Aboriginality for the first 20-odd years of my life,” he says.
Mick grew up believing his family descended from Maori – the Polynesian people of New Zealand. It was a surprising conversation with his grandmother decades ago that revealed his true heritage.
“From that day, I wanted to know more and then I wanted to be part of ‘the movement’ to understand my Aboriginality,” he says.
Mick at work on his property in Victoria Credit: SBS / Scott Cardwell
“It was all about discovering myself over and over and over. It started with my grandmother and now, 30 or 40 years later, I've just continued to explore my identity, and express my identity.”
Mick’s business is called Ngarga Warendj – Dancing Wombat, and as you might imagine, there is a story behind it.
“It was on the pretext that when no one's looking at the wombats, they're all out there having fun, having a party and dancing, really enjoying themselves.
“We just don't happen to see that. I thought it was funny, and that's the sort of story behind it,” he says.
Some of Mick's Australian native symbols Credit: SBS / Scott Cardwell
“I started by making Aboriginal artifacts, like boomerangs and shields. And then it grew to drawing and applying the artwork on all kinds of different items as giftware.”
These days his art ‘mixes and matches’ symbols to tell a story.
“It is all based around our traditional symbols and the stories behind those traditional symbols, but I'm just doing it in a current day setting.”
Mick's wife Nicole operates the laser cutter
“As Nicole has become more confident with our laser cutter, she's been able to develop different designs with my artwork and apply them to camphor laurel cutting boards. And they're becoming more and more and more popular as time goes by.”
“By automating, we can produce a whole lot more than we used to. So that means we have reduced our turn-around times.”
The laser cutter was purchased with support from Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), set up to foster economic independence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Mick received an IBA start-up package which was a significant contributor to his success,” says David Deo, a Senior Business Development Officer at IBA.
“This laser machine was part of the grant component, which made it easier for him to pay off.”
Mick Harding says the new machine has played a crucial role in his growth.
“We see this as a stepping-stone to get even bigger and better.”
Mick Harding with his son Mitchil. Credit: SBS / Scott Cardwell
“We don't have a [bricks and mortar] shop as such. We have a virtual shop, a website where people buy from us, and we also do wholesale.
“So, during COVID we really invested a lot of time in making sure the website was right. We also made sure that our socials were really good, too.”
However, according to IBA the key to Mick’s success is the role of his family – both supporting and participating in the venture.
“Mick is all about family. His wife and children are all part of the business,” David Deo says.
Mick Harding (centre) with his wife Nicole (left) and IBA's David Deo Credit: SBS / Scott Cardwell
“I failed form three, which is known as year nine today. And I went on to be a labourer of many different descriptions,” he says.
Mick now holds a master’s in fine art from the Churchill campus of Federation University Australia - a public, multi-sector university in Victoria.
“So, all the way from failing form three I proved to myself that I could do something and be something, if I put my mind to it.”
As well, Mick has around 30 years’ experience working with Aboriginal cultural heritage.
“I have met all kinds of Aboriginal people across Victoria and Australia, and really got to understand the sense of symbology.”
Mick Harding designing a wedge-tailed eagle symbol Credit: SBS / Scott Cardwell
“Our people have been here for over 2,000 generations. That's a long, long, long while. And so, we want to continue to connect with that and then share it with everyone else as well.”
For authentic Aboriginal artwork and ceramics, see Mick’s work at . and for more information about Indigenous Business Australia go to
