Sisonke Msimang

Sisonke Msimang is the author of Always Another Country: A memoir of Exile and Home (Text, 2018). She is a South African writer, living in Perth, whose work focuses on gender, race, social justice and democracy.

Sisonke has been published in a range of publications including The New York TimesThe Washington PostThe GuardianNewsweek and Al Jazeera. She has also held fellowships at Yale University, the Aspen Institute, and she was the Ruth First Fellow at the University of Witswatersrand in Johannesburg in 2014.

Sisonke is currently based at the Centre for Stories, where she heads up the Oral Storytelling programme. She has stories with The Moth, and Porchlight, and given a TED talk on Storytelling, which was released in 2017.

Prior to turning her attention to writing and storytelling, Sisonke was the Executive Director of the South Africa operations of the Soros Foundations (known as the Open Society Foundations). In this capacity, Sisonke oversaw a team of one hundred professional staff, working across ten countries and managing four offices with an annual operating budget of $50 million (USD).

Before this Sisonke worked for the United Nations – based first in Pretoria, then managing a global programme in New York, and finally providing technical support on gender issues in the East and Southern Africa regional office of the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).

Acknowledgement to country

Ngala kaaditj Noongar Wadjuk moort keyen kaadak nidja boodja

In the spirit of deepening relationship, we acknowledge Wadjuk Noongar people as the original custodians of the land our office is located. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Western Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past and present.

Birak

Hot and dry – December to January

Bunuru

Hot with easterly winds – February to March

Djeran

Cool and enjoyable – April to May

Makuru

Wet and cold – June to July

Djilba

Cold with less rain – August to September

Kambarang

Warming as the rains finish – October to November

Millie Penny and Chloe Calyon

Six Seasons

2024 – Acrylic on canvas

Aligning with the theme of the 2025 WACOSS Conference, Innovating Together: Leaving No One Behind, Millie Penny depicts the heart of the Six Noongar Seasons into this vibrant canvas. Each hue reflects the unique life of its corresponding season and celebrates the deep connection between the Aboriginal People and the Land.

This painting honours the foundation of Noongar culture: the Six Seasons serve as a timeless anchor amid the ebb and flow of life – politics, policies, and values may shift, but seasons remain steadfast. Intricately woven through are the vital journeys Noongar people have undertaken for more than 65,000 years, and the important gatherings, listening and nurturing of relationships to ensure strong culture, land and heart.

They have drawn sustenance and wisdom from the cyclical rhythm. The Six Seasons are a life-giving force. A reminder of resilience and continuity that will endure long after we are gone.

As Millie’s first exploration into the Six Noongar Seasons, this work is a profound gift to WACOSS and to the conference, inviting us to reflect on our shared journey and commitment to growth.

Millie sought support from her grand-niece, Chloe Calyon, a talented artist in her own right, who contributed to the painting, design and symbols in this piece.

Birak

Hot and dry – December to January

Bunuru

Hot with easterly winds – February to March

Djeran

Cool and enjoyable – April to May

Makuru

Wet and cold – June to July

Djilba

Cold with less rain – August to September

Kambarang

Warming as the rains finish – October to November