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Peter Overs
Born: 1967
Area: Dirranbandi - South East Queensland
Peter Overs was born in Brisbane (Queensland) in 1967 and grew up in Dirranbandi, south-west Queensland. The translation of Dirranbandi is ‘frogs around a water hole’. Dirranbandi lies on the Queensland border. Peter attended primary and secondary school in the town up to year 10 level.
Peter’s subjects are predominantly "His grandmother's country" about ceremony and daily living associated with Emu Dreaming.
Peter's full-blood grandmother was born under a tree at Angledool Station. This tree still stands today. His grandmother's name was Murial Hall. Her married name was Draper. Peter's grandfather, Edgar James Draper, was one of few Aboriginal people to reside in the town, owing to his employment with the Railway. The rest of Peter's family resided on the banks of the Blonde River, about a mile and a half out of town. Bush foods were still a major food source. Peter, his brothers and cousins went cray-fishing, fishing and collected bush foods such as Quandongs and wild bush oranges.
Peter paints two specific dreaming stories. These are the Yabby hole Dreaming and the Emu and Quandong Dreaming. The Yabby Hole Dreaming is a reflection of Peter's own experience, as he loved to go and catch the yabbies and collect the quandongs (bush plums) for his family. Peter also really enjoyed catching the native fish called yellow belly in the Blonde River. This fish is also known as Perch in other regions. The Emu Dreaming was given to Peter by his grandfather. This dreaming involves the Emu eating the quandong fruit and helping to disperse the seeds. This allows the seeds to germinate, flourish and help regenerate the country.
