John Smith Gumbula

Cultural Ambassador / Aboriginal Artist John Smith Gumbula, is a proud descendent and family member of the Wakka Wakka Indigenous People of Cherbourg, South Burnett Region Queensland, Australia. John's creative talents started in his early childhood and has been passionately involved in multiple diverse arts mediums spanning over 30 + years. He is a multi award winner and has showcased his diverse arts in Australia and on a world stage. John is a Former "QEII Silver Jubilee Queens Trust Awardee for young achieving Australians", presented by Former Governor General Sir William Deane.

John traveled at an early age which took him to many Aboriginal communities in New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, from Cherbourg, Woorabinda, Yarrabah, Wujal Wujal, Kowanyama, Doomadgee, Mornington Island, Hermannsberg, Tiwi Islands, North East Arnhemalnd, Groote Eylandt, Galiwinku-Elcho Island. He was later adopted by the traditional Yolngu family and lived at Galiwin'ku community on Elcho Island in the early 90's. Inspired by unique travels and traditional Yolngu ceremony's, language, song, dance, arts/crafts, influenced him in creating unique contemporary Aboriginal art techniques, portraying various indigenous Flora and Fauna, geographic elements of his life travels.

John's passion, vision and objective is to develop long term sustainable social ventures and contributing to the Indigenous economies. "The preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage and creating international strategic partnerships, is important in developing cultural bridges of understanding, amongst global communities and educating people about the ancient spiritual significance and importance of Indigenous Australia's invaluable wealth of First Peoples knowledge and ancient connection to country, Mother earth."