Kalkadoon Dreaming

Overview

This stamp issue features the beautiful work of acclaimed contemporary Kalkadoon (Kalkatungu) artist Chern’ee Sutton. The stamps represent the artist’s traditional Country in the Mount Isa region of Queensland.

The Kalkadoon people, also called the Kakatungu, Kalkatunga and Kaldadungu, are the traditional owners of Country around Mount Isa, north-west Queensland, where they have been living for more than 60,000 years. For millennia they occupied and managed vast tracts of land, from McKinley’s Gap in the east, which adjoined the lands of the Goa (Guwa) people of the Winton district, to Gunpowder Creek, the territory of the Waggaboonga (Wakabunga). On its southern side, Kalkadoon Country was adjacent to the lands of the Pitta-Pitta people and, on the northern side, the Mittakoodi. Kalkadoon Country is also called the Emu Foot Province, as the territorial boundaries were marked with an image of an emu or crane’s foot, painted or carved onto rocks and trees.

An independent and proud people, the Kalkadoon traditionally camped in groups for a few weeks at a time, living off the land, before moving to another campsite so that wildlife and vegetation could replenish. They had a reputation as powerful warriors and fierce protectors of their land.

During the Frontier Wars, the Kalkadoon survived one of Australia’s most brutal massacres at a place now called Battle Mountain, between Mount Isa and Cloncurry. Years of conflict and dispute over land between settlers and Kalkadoon culminated in 1884, when the Queensland Police, the Native Mounted Police and pastoralists formed a paramilitary-like troop to finally defeat their enemy. Around 600 Kalkadoon warriors were positioned high on the rocky hill, but their sophisticated spears, shields and nulla nullas were no match for the firearms of their assailants, and they were mown down with great loss of life. This battle marked the end of Kalkadoon resistance.

The artist, Chern’ee Sutton, held her first exhibition at the age of 13, at Queensland’s Parliament House. She has since been recognised with a legion of awards and honours. These include National NAIDOC Youth of the Year, Queensland Pride of Australia Award, Queensland Tourism Industry Council Ambassador, Queensland Day Ambassador for the Arts, and Queensland Reconciliation Awards Ambassador. Her work has been commissioned by numerous national sporting organisations, commercial brands and many government departments. Chern’ee Sutton’s artwork is held in national and international collections, including the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace, United Kingdom.

Technical specifications

Issue date: 15 October 2024
Issue withdrawal date: 1 May 2025
Denomination: 4 x $1.50
Illustration: Chern’ee Sutton
Typography: Jo Muré, Australia Post Design Studio
Paper: gummed: Tullis Russell 104gsm Red Phosphor/Blue PVA Stamp Paper (Tullis Russell Red Phos PSA (P55) 100gsm S/A)
Printer: RA Printing
Printing process: Offset lithography
Stamp size (mm): 26 x 37.5
Minisheet size (mm): 170 x 80
Perforations: 14.6 x 13.86
Sheet layout: Module of 50 (2 x 25 no design)
National postmark: Mount Isa QLD 4825
FDI withdrawal date: 13 November 2024

Stamps in this issue

$1.50 Kalkadoon Bush Food and Medicine

The first stamp shows the importance of bush tucker and medicine, represented by a coolamon containing berries and other tucker. Edible and medicinal plants growing on Kalkadoon Country include the bloodwood apple, the conkerberry bush, kurrajong, bush banana and gidgee tree. The undulating lines that flow across all the stamps represent the journeys of the Kalkadoon across the land, as do the footprints. The circular motifs indicate gatherings of people.

$1.50 Kalkadoon Community and Storytelling

The second stamp highlights the importance of community and storytelling. Men, women and children gather together in a circle to share cultural stories. The boomerang symbolises a return to Country.

$1.50 Kalkadoon Animals

Animals are of great importance to the Kalkadoon, and are the subject of the third stamp, which shows mammals, birds and fish – the inspiration for stories, dances and art, including rock art and petroglyphs. Chern’ee Sutton’s great-great-grandmother, Annie Connelly, was known as the Dancing Queen because of her skill in ceremonial dance. The emu is particularly important for the artist, as it is her personal totem.

$1.50 Kalkadoon Landscape

The last stamp shows the artist’s Country, with its vital waterholes, rivers, rugged mountains, bushland and dry scrub. The radiant sun appears overhead, giving life and warmth to the world.