Amethyst Downing is a First Nations Wandi Wandian woman with European/Irish heritage, born and raised on Kulin Nation lands and now resides on Country in the lands of the Dharawal speakers.

Amethyst is a multidisciplinary artist, Student Learning Support Officer and Aboriginal Community Development Officer.

Her creative practice incorporates a broad range of traditional and contemporary mediums, methodologies, knowledges, and techniques—taught and passed through her Elders and kin-based knowledge holders.

She collaborates across a diverse range of sectors, delivering culturally-informed workshops that span topics such as creative conservation, and are tailored to both Country and urban environments. Amethyst is adept at facilitating inclusive, community-led workshops with First Nations peoples locally and globally, as well as with Elders, youth, people across the gender spectrum, Deaf communities, and non-English speaking participants.

As a Student Learning Support Officer, Amethyst provides culturally responsive support and mentorship to Aboriginal high school students, acting as a bridge between students, families, schools, and community services. She works to enhance student engagement, retention, and wellbeing through one-on-one support, cultural programs, and advocacy.

Her role, as an Aboriginal Community Development Officer works in close partnership with Traditional Owners to support self-determined community development. The focus is on strengthening cultural governance, protecting Country, and promoting social, economic, and cultural wellbeing. This includes facilitating community-led planning, supporting access to resources and services, and ensuring Traditional Owner voices are central in decision-making processes. The role also involves advocating for cultural heritage protection, building capacity within communities, and fostering respectful relationships between Traditional Owners, government, and other stakeholders.

A passionate advocate for environmental conservation, Amethyst combines education and art with scientific observation to raise awareness of ecological issues. Through her lens, she documents and archives native and invasive species, contributing to a growing digital environmental record. A significant focus of her work is the critically endangered dingo—Australia’s last remaining large apex land predator. Amethyst’s fieldwork involves tracking dingoes across the South Coast, collecting DNA samples, and supporting research led by Dr. Kylie Cairns, whose work has played a key role in debunking the “wild dog” myth in so-called Australia. The removal of this keystone species could have irreversible consequences for ecosystems, and Amethyst is committed to advocating for their protection.

Special thanks and acknowledgment to South Coast Arts for the contributions made for the Ganbi Dance 2024 end of year showcase.