Aunty Cheryl Penrith OAM
Senior Wiradjuri Elder
Aunty Cheryl Penrith OAM is a highly respected Wiradjuri elder who works tirelessly for her community. She sits on a range of committees and boards, sharing her passion for the community and her desire to make the path easier for future generations. She is passionate about involvement in decision making and the revival and reinvigoration of cultural practices such as language, possum skin cloak-making workshops and women's cultural business.
Aunty Cheryl was instrumental in organising the return of seven Aboriginal artefacts to Wiradjuri county after being stored in Sydney for the past 40 years. She has a keen interest in fashion, running the successful “Hand me Down, Style Me Up” workshops focusing on the value of recycled clothing, and is currently exhibiting at the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. Her story featured in the book, “Growing Up Wiradjuri”, edited by Dr Anita Heiss.
Aunty Cheryl was recognised for her service to the Indigenous community of the Riverina with a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2023 and was nominated for Wagga’s Citizen of the Year award.
