Lauren Chapman Carpenter

Lauren Carpenter/Chapman is a proud Gumea Dharawal, Wandawandian and Walbunja woman of the saltwater Yuin people. A descendant of the Carpenter family from Rosebery Park, Culunghutti and the Chapman family of the Wandawandian and Walbunja peoples, Lauren takes inspiration from her country, dreaming and Elders past and present. Lauren is a mother of 7 children and Grandmother to 16 grandchildren, Aunty, and Sister. Lauren has worked in the health sector dedicating her life to supporting people living with high level special needs, and supporting people in her family and community during their times of vulnerability. Lauren grew up in Nowra, and spent time living in the bush at Falls Creek which is where her first poems were born at 13 years of age. Lauren has written these poems to share in the hope that it may help someone else on their journey of healing, and keeping their connection to culture strong. Lauren's youngest sons Sean and Joel Deaves have worked tirelessly in their lives to honour, and maintain their Great Grandmother Lena Chapman's Gumea Dharawal language, and proudly share this with you in Lauren's poetry.