Unfinished Business is centred around three Ballardong Elders and matriarchs – Aunty Winnie McHenry, Aunty Muriel Collard and Aunty Janet Colbung – born on Country at Badjaling, near Quairading in the Wheatbelt. The cultural authority and lived experiences of these three Elders form the foundation of this cultural transmission project which will see matriarchal knowledge shared with the next generation of Noongar women. Now in their 80s and 90s, the three women have been working with CAN since 2008, and Aunty Winnie initiated this project in the early days of her work with the organisation.

Joining us in Quairading is Cynthia Yarran, who works for the Shire of Quairading and has come on board as Community Liaison, and Norm Yarran, now based in Southern Cross. Norm has joined the project to assist with the hunting of kangaroos for booka (kangaroo-skin cloak) making, a central element of the project. The Elders have elected a group of local women who will take part in the making of bookas, and other cultural material.

Lead Artists Sharyn Egan and Yabini Kickett will work alongside the three Elders. An acclaimed Noongar artist, Sharyn Egan has known Aunty Winnie McHenry for many years. In 2015 Sharyn painted Winnie's portrait for CAN's Bush Babies exhibition. Yabini Kickett is a Noongar Bibbulmun woman with family connections to the Quairading region and brings her strong visual arts practice to the project.

Sharyn and Yabini will lead a series of workshops, reclaiming traditional practices such as crafting bookas (kangaroo skin cloaks), wanna (digging sticks), and boorn barminy (clapsticks).

Throughout, additional cultural guidance and advice will support the team. Geri Hayden, CAN’s Cultural Advisor and Chair of CAN's Aboriginal Advisory Group, will assist with the booka tanning process. Geri has been connected to CAN for many years, facilitating the organisation’s first projects in the Wheatbelt region.

Documenting the project are Whadjuk Noongar cinematographer Hugh Sando and Noongar and Spinifex photographer Tace Stevens. Each talented in their own right, Hugh and Tace have collaborated on prior projects and both have worked on various CAN projects. In 2025 Hugh directed CAN’s award-winning documentary Boodjara.

CAN Executive Producer Michelle White and Project Producer Rebecca McCauley are thrilled to work with this exceptional team of Elders and creatives. Through her work at CAN over more than a decade Michelle has developed a strong relationship with the community and has been a driving force in bringing this project to fruition. The long-standing connection between the community and CAN makes this vital project feel even more special.