WE WERE THERE
HEAR OUR STORY
GET A GLIMPSE OF WHO WE WERE AND WHAT WE ACHIEVED

This multisensory exhibition tells the story of the women of the Gulgong Goldfields.

Composite handmade prints, 3D installations and film combine to bring these women to the forefront and tell their story. They are given a voice, and you have the unique opportunity to discover who they really were, the hardships they endured and the resilience and courage they showed.

About the Exhibition

Gulgong has been a favourite haunt of Therese for some time now as she explores the history, the stories of the past and the natural environment. To deepen her connection, she became a long-distance member of the Gulgong Arts Society and entered the annual show many times over the years. She has been regularly involved with the Henry Lawson June Long weekend, often donning heritage dress and walking the streets and joining in the parade with others in historic costume.

Therese has developed a close association with the Gulgong Holtermann Museum since one of her pieces – ‘Early Gulgong’ – was purchased and used by the Museum to raise money for the museum. ‘Early Gulgong’ has continued to be popular with visitors who are able to purchase it in various merchandise forms which they take home as a souvenir of Gulgong and the Holtermann Museum, and as sample of Therese’s work.

Through her connection Therese has developed an ongoing interest in the women of the goldfields and this fuelled her desire to unearth them through her art.

Her newest body of work – “Unearthed – The Women of the Gulgong Goldfields 1872” – introduces audiences of 2026 to the incredible women who made their homes, and lived part of their lives, here on the Gulgong goldfields. Through her art, she tells their stories in prints, 3D installations and film. Finally, after over 150 years, these women are given a voice as the audience encounters the endurance, courage and resilience of women in this harsh and unforgiving environment.

Artist Bio

Therese Gabriel Wilkins is an award-winning artist, print maker and sculptor who explores the many and varied aspects of our world as she encounters them on her art journey. Her inspiration comes from people, places, stories, history, fauna and flora, and everyday objects.

From her childhood Therese loved art. She grew up surrounded by art from the many works evident in her family home to the pieces created lovingly in every spare moment of her childhood. Therese was destined to spend her days as an artist and sharing her art with the wider world.

Therese often weaves narratives through her art, focussing upon bringing the hidden to light, bringing the past alive and stories to life. She loves to look at the endangered or extinct and bring them into the here and now.