Elder, cultural leader and artist

Aunty Rochelle Patten is a highly respected elder, cultural leader and artist. Patten has a Masters of Applied Science at Deakin University—which she achieved at fifty years of age—focused on the health of the Dungahla (Murray) River and Murray Darling Basin areas where she has lived and continues to care for. She has worked for the Native Title Legal Service and the Cummeragunja Aboriginal Medical Service as the chairperson for sixteen years. Aunty Rochelle also sits on the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council as a director for her region. She has been creating art for many years and recently had a joint exhibition at Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre titled Two Strong Sisters. Patten has been on the Yulendj knowledge group for Museums Victoria since 2012 and was an integral contributor to the First Peoples exhibition at Melbourne Museum. She is a respected member of her community and currently lives in the Barmah Forest connecting and caring to her country and animal friends. You are invited to join Aunty Rochelle and her friends from the Hush Foundation to contribute to a collaborative artwork which was commenced at the 2023 Gathering of Kindness, and which will travel to hospitals spreading the message of kindness in healthcare for all, and the power of the arts to support wellbeing, culture change and the human experience.