Randwick City has paid tribute to the life and legacy of Aunty Marilyn Russell, recognising her lasting contribution to Aboriginal culture, community and the continuation of the shellwork tradition in La Perouse.
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During its June 2026 meeting, local representatives acknowledged Aunty Marilyn’s role in strengthening understanding and respect for Aboriginal history in Randwick. A minute’s silence was observed in her honour, while flags were flown at half-mast to mark her funeral.
Aunty Marilyn Russell was a Bidjigal woman from the coastal community of La Perouse whose artistic practice continued a cultural tradition handed down through generations of Aboriginal women in her family. She learned the intricate art of shellwork as a child by watching and working alongside her mother, the late Aunty Esme Timbery, who had learned the practice from her own mother, Queen Emma Timbery, Aunty Marilyn’s great-great-grandmother.
Continuing a Family Tradition
For generations, Aboriginal shellwork has been an important cultural tradition within the La Perouse community. Aunty Marilyn’s shellworks expressed identity, family history and a deep connection to Country while continuing a practice that has been passed down through her family for generations.
She continued this family tradition throughout her artistic career while also sharing her knowledge with younger generations. Aunty Marilyn often created shellwork alongside her daughter and granddaughter, helping cultural knowledge continue to be passed from one generation to the next, just as it had been within her own family.
Her work expressed cultural continuity and resilience. Grounded in long-standing family traditions, her shellwork also reflected Aboriginal identity, history and belonging, highlighting the enduring connection between people, place and community.
A Legacy Beyond La Perouse
Aunty Marilyn’s work earned recognition well beyond La Perouse. Her shellworks are held in several of Australia’s leading public collections, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the National Gallery of Victoria and the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.
She also participated in the Biennale of Sydney, where her work was recognised as continuing both a family legacy and the cultural traditions of the Bidjigal people.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Aunty Marilyn passed her shellwork knowledge to younger generations within her family, helping sustain an important cultural practice for the future.
The tribute from Randwick City recognised her contribution to fostering greater understanding and respect for Aboriginal history and culture throughout the local community.
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As La Perouse farewells Aunty Marilyn Russell, her legacy lives on through the generations she taught within her family, the artworks she created and the traditions she helped preserve. Her shellwork reflects the importance of passing knowledge, culture and traditions between generations.
Published 5-July-2026
