Timme Canoe Memorial

Making Timme’s Canoe – Behind the Scenes

The making of Timme’s Canoe was a journey that felt guided by something greater. Everything came together so smoothly and quickly that we’re sure the spirits were with us. Despite the hard work, the project carried a sense of ease, positivity, and purpose—as if it was always meant to be.

The Beginning           

In June 2025, Aunty Patsy gathered a small team to honour Timme’s story and create a memorial vessel for his spiritual return to the country of his family and ancestors—his home. This was more than an artwork; it was a cultural and spiritual responsibility.

Designing the Vision

With guidance from ceramic artist Carol Buissink, experienced in large-scale outdoor sculptures, the team chose Corten steel for the canoe’s structure. Its form was inspired by drawings from early French expeditioners who met with local people. Carol also created a ceramic fire bowl to sit within the canoe, symbolising the old people’s tradition of carrying fire and providing a space for ceremony.

Bringing It to Life

Once the concept and budget were clear, Professor Emma Lee OAM secured the bulk of funding through a grant from Federation University, with additional contributions from Hydro Tasmania and the Flinders Island Aboriginal Association. Project management was led by Christina Giudici, who kept everything on track.

Fabrication was entrusted to Rob Dillon at Weatherfoil, whose craftsmanship and understanding turned sketches into a life-size steel canoe. Assisted by Jason Soden, the team meticulously referenced historical drawings—even creating corten steel ‘string’ to bind bark-like bundles. Cultural and artistic guidance from Laura Murray enriched every stage, with hands-on involvement from design to fabrication.

The Final Steps

Engineering support from Ray Massie ensured a strong foundation, with Matt Cameron and the Tebrakunna Rangers pouring the concrete slab. Installation was made possible by Woolnorth Wind, whose team—Tony Saunders, Adam Hall, and Matthew Irwin—expertly placed the canoe on its footings with the help of a crane.

A Vessel of Spirit

Today, Timme’s Canoe stands as a powerful symbol of heritage, resilience, and connection—a vessel carrying fire, spirit, and story home. It is a tribute to everyone who contributed their skills, hearts, and hands to make this vision real.

Timme’s Ceremony

Timme came of age in the time of the Great Killing.  His childhood, family, country and life taken so brutally by others.

In Timme’s Canoe, we guide him home.  Home to our sacred night skies. Home to our replenishing waters and nurturing lands.  Home to the mob who love him most.

As Tasmanian Aboriginal people, we are older than time itself.  Before the sundial, before the clock, we know that it is never too late to right a wrong. Let us remember Timme as a young man, a warrior.

Thank you for honouring our beautiful ancestor, Timme, to call him home to us and never forgetting the horrors of his short life.

Raising the flag off the canoe                                     Emma Lee sharing Timme’s story

   

Lighting the ceremonial bowl to call Timme home

Solemn Smoke

Minute silence

Uncle Sammy and brother Leslie guided us in this sacred duty of making the welcoming smokes that let us rest Timme in country – to breathe the gumleaf air as Timme once did – we know that in bringing Timme home, we have bound ourselves together in love, kinship and reciprocity, just as the wires are woven together to bind the canoe.