Sharing Our Stories: Aboriginal Life in Cockburn

Aboriginal Oral History Project

The City of Cockburn Aboriginal Oral History Project records and summarises the oral histories of eleven indigenous people with a custodial or cultural connection to the Cockburn district. The interviews were conducted by Dr. Leonie Stella from Centre for Aboriginal Studies, Curtin University of Technology.  

The interviews are available on the Cockburn History website.

Quintessentially Cockburn stories

Marissa Verma

Marissa Verma is synonymous with Cockburn, having grown up in Hamilton Hill with Walliabup-Bibra Lake and Coogee Beach on the shores of Derbal Nara (Cockburn Sound) as her playground. 

Marissa is the founder and owner of successful Aboriginal business Bindi Bindi Dreaming based right here in Cockburn since 2000.  With the permission of her Elders, Marissa shares the local Nyungar culture at regular workshops that sell-out in record time, and a catering service offering bush and other traditional foods is in constant demand.

Learn more about Marissa's story in our Quintessentially Cockburn stories.