Clem Newchurch

Kaurna Community

Clem is a Kaurna, Narungga and Kokatha man with a background in education and community development.

More recently, Clem has operated as a sole trader working in a cultural education and advisory capacity, representing the Kaurna community in several settings, including the environmental, education and arts sectors.

Clem is an artist, who uses native, natural materials to create woven and carved pieces inspired by items his Ancestors made. In 2022, Clem had an exhibition with Guildhouse and the South Australian Museum called ‘Kaurna Still Here’ with his Uncle Peter Turner, which was visited by over 22,000 people and which toured to two other venues, with another planned for 2023.

He has also written and directed 2 short documentaries for NITV’s ‘Our Stories’ short documentary series, ‘The Butterfish Mob’ and ‘Big Al’s Big Dream’. Clem is passionate about reviving and preserving culture, so strives to learn as much as he can about his Ancestors ways and shares the knowledge he has learnt in multiple settings

Clem is involved in Warpulai Kumangka (Green Adelaide’s Kaurna environmental advisory committee) and the Kaurna Land Management team, where he will be one of the lead practitioners for Kaurna-led land management projects, using traditional fire.

Clem and Quahli have recently represented the Kaurna community in discussions around the McLaren Vale Water Allocation Plan and have presented a Kaurna perspective at events such as the 2022 International Weeds Conference, held in Adelaide.

.