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The Dreaming Collective
The Dreaming Collective Podcast is a powerful, ongoing series amplifying First Nations voices — our stories, our way. Born from a 2024 NAIDOC Week initiative celebrating the theme Keep the Fire Burning: Blak, Loud & Proud, the podcast continues to elevate the rich personal stories, cultural wisdom, and lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples connected to Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country on the Sunshine Coast.
Created, led and hosted by Carly Forrest — a proud Mandandanji woman and founder of The Dreaming Collective — this 100% Indigenous-led platform centres community, culture, truth-telling, and legacy.
Originally funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency as part of a 2024 National NAIDOC Week Activity, The Dreaming Collective Podcast has grown into an enduring space to honour our past, speak our present, and shape our future.
Blak voices. Cultural insight. Collective wisdom.
The Dreaming Collective
Chloe Watego
Chloe Watego is a proud Iman and South Sea Islander woman residing on Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) Country, with a passion for sharing and celebrating her culture through art. Born and raised on Yugambeh land, Chloe’s heritage also ties her to the Torres Strait Islands and the Bundjalung nation through her grandmother. Her grandfather’s removal during the Stolen Generations caused a deep disconnection from culture, inspiring Chloe’s journey of healing and reconnection.
A self-taught artist, Chloe began painting while uncovering her family’s roots and searching for her grandfather’s country, tribe, and language. Her artworks shine a light on her family’s enduring connection to the land while paving the way forward for her children and future generations.
With over 14 years of experience in the Disability and Mental Health sectors, Chloe’s professional background reflects her commitment to inclusion, acceptance, and understanding. Today, she combines her passion for storytelling and creativity, listening to individual stories and transforming them into meaningful art that fosters connection and understanding.
As a mother to three children (+ 4 fur children!) and a devoted partner, Chloe draws inspiration from her family and the simple joys of life. Her art is a reflection of resilience, love, and the enduring strength of cultural identity.
In this episode, Chloe shares her journey from a career in disability and mental health to finding solace and identity in art following a pivotal moment in 2021. She discusses the importance of cultural heritage, the impact of diverse communities on her upbringing, and the significance of the NAIDOC theme "Black, Loud and Proud." Chloe emphasizes the importance of self-care, family history, and the support of her community. She also looks forward to future projects, including a residency at Lantana Space and an exhibition in Mitchell, funded by the Sunshine Coast Council. Listeners can connect with her through her website and social media.
https://chloewategoart.com/
Thank you to Shannan Bishop, a proud Gunggari Artist and Graphic Designer, who also has connections to Wakka Wakka and Kabi Kabi, for designing The Dreaming Collective's Podcast Artwork. Shannan's art depicts our host, Carly Forrest's journey of bringing the podcast to life and shows the coming together of freshwater and saltwater ~ red dirt and sand with the sharing of our storylines connecting us all and preserving these yarns for future generations.