Returning to Australia a decade ago, Maryjane McKibbin-Schwenke saw many changes. With her husband Fred she established the Matavai Cultural Arts Centre in Sydney to promote community and connection to Pacific culture, helping people of all ages learn about themselves and their history through dance and music and sharing stories.

As well as strengthening identity and confidence through cultural arts Maryjane is a strong advocate for issues that affect the Pacific community both in Australia and abroad, including climate change, education and loss of cultural knowledge.

Maryjane talks to Sandra about everything from the importance of community, the stress and trauma of living through the harsh Covid lockdowns in Western Sydney and the impact that had on the younger community, her role in the new Bilas exhibition at the Australian Museum, and the realities of feeling unseen.

Find out more about Maryjane and Matavai here: https://matavai.com.au

And the Bilas exhibition here: https://australian.museum

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