About Dreamtime Kullilla-Art
Dreamtime Kullilla-Art is a 100% Aboriginal-owned and operated business based in Clontarf, Queensland, proudly sharing authentic Aboriginal culture, art and storytelling for more than 30 years. Founded by artist and cultural educator Michael J. Connolly, Dreamtime Kullilla-Art offers authentic Aboriginal artworks, gifts, textiles, home décor and bush-tucker inspired products, alongside corporate gifting, educational resources and cultural workshops.
Through every product, experience and conversation, the business remains committed to creating meaningful cultural engagement, supporting reconciliation, and ensuring Aboriginal stories and perspectives are shared with respect and authenticity.
During one of our recent QIBN Member Gatherings, the QIBN team had the pleasure of hearing that Dreamtime Kullilla-Art was celebrating an incredible milestone – 30 years in business. What began as a conversation amongst peers quickly became a story we knew deserved to be shared.
From humble beginnings at local markets to becoming a respected Aboriginal-owned business grounded in culture, storytelling and authenticity, Dreamtime Kullilla-Art’s journey is one of resilience, family, and self-belief. We sat down with the team behind the business to reflect on the past three decades, the lessons learned along the way, and what the future holds for the next generation.
Can you tell us the story behind Dreamtime Kullilla-Art and how it all began?
“Dreamtime Kullilla-Art began over 30 years ago with a simple idea, strong cultural foundations, and a lot of determination.
In 1989, newly married, Michael and Jo relocated from Charleville to Redcliffe to start a new chapter. As they welcomed their young family in 1992 and 1994, Michael began selling didgeridoos on a tarp at the Redcliffe Markets. What started as a small side venture soon expanded to Eagle Street Markets and South Bank in Brisbane, operating under the original name Didgeridoos by Michael.
The business steadily grew from humble beginnings—run from home and local markets—until 1996, when Michael and Jo took a leap of faith and committed to the business full-time. With this step came a new name: Dreamtime Kullilla-Art.“
“The early years were not easy. There were hard lessons, tough times, and moments of uncertainty. As an Aboriginal-owned business, they quickly realised they had to work twice as hard to be recognised as a legitimate and credible enterprise. In fact, for the first 6-8 weeks at the markets, sales were zero. But Michael persevered, driven by belief in his vision – an Aboriginal business grounded in culture, community, and storytelling.
Along the way, there were mistakes – like any small business journey – but there were also a testament to resilience, passion, and purpose.
At its heart, Dreamtime Kullilla-Art was born from a need for authenticity in the arts. It was created to share genuine Aboriginal stories, connection to Country, and cultural experiences that foster understanding, respect, and meaningful engagement.”
“Today, that purpose remains the same: to proudly share Aboriginal art, culture, and stories with the community.
An interesting fact is that we (Dreamtime Kullilla-Art) have never received any grants or funding whatsoever – we have been 100% self funded every step of the way. We did try though but we were either too unprofessional then all of a sudden we became too professional to earn consideration .. go figure so we learned earlier on that we had to back ourselves every step of the way.“
This year marks 30 years of Dreamtime Kullilla-Art. What does reaching this milestone mean to you and your family?
“Reaching this 30-year milestone is a huge achievement for us and our family, and it feels incredibly special. It’s a moment of reflection that makes us think… we must be doing something right – haha.
Over the years, there have been many highs and plenty of challenges. But through it all, we’ve held onto a strong sense of resilience and belief in what we do. In the early days, we were often told that a small business like ours wouldn’t last two years – that there was no future in culture. Thankfully, we chose not to believe in or entertain that conversation. Instead, we stayed focused on our purpose, backed ourselves, and continued to grow something meaningful. Reaching 30 years is not just about longevity – it’s about staying true to who we are, our culture, and the community we serve. It’s something we’re incredibly proud of as a family.
Speaking of family, we are now joined by our daughter (Taylar-Jo) who is the “self-appointed” Business manger and a great asset to our family team. The next generation we hope can take our business into the future.“
When you reflect on the journey from those early days to now, what stands out the most?
“What stands out most is our consistent focus, combined with the ability to adapt when needed. From the beginning, we believed in ourselves and backed that belief 200%.
We were always driven by a desire to make a difference and to build a successful, sustainable business. That meant committing to growth, educating ourselves in business, participating in training and development programs, and actively engaging with community organisations. We worked hard to build strong relationships and alliances, positioning ourselves to be more resourceful and resilient.
We’ve done the hard yards, and it’s that dedication, persistence, and willingness to keep learning that has helped us reach this milestone.“
What are some of the biggest lessons the business has learned over the past three decades?
“Like many small businesses, we’ve made our share of mistakes and learned some hard lessons along the way – particularly in the early days when we were still developing our business knowledge.
We quickly realised that not everyone operates with integrity, and at times we encountered people who were willing to take advantage of a growing business, even through channels we expected to be supportive. Those experiences became a turning point for us. They pushed us to educate ourselves, strengthen our business skills, and develop a sharper understanding of how to protect and grow what we had built.
Over time, we’ve learned that success requires being adaptable, staying resilient, and committing to continuous learning. We’ve also come to value the importance of working hard, building strong relationships, and maintaining a reputation grounded in honesty and ethics.
Above all, we’ve learned to never burn bridges and to approach every opportunity and challenge with integrity.”
Are there any moments or achievements along the way that really define the Dreamtime Kullilla-Art story?
“Reaching 30 years in business is, without a doubt, our ultimate achievement. Every single year – every challenge, every success – has helped shape our story and define Dreamtime Kullilla-Art as a strong and enduring presence in the industry. We hope our journey encourages other small businesses to give it a go and always back themselves.
What we are most proud of, however, is Michael’s advocacy for authentic Aboriginal art. At a time when fake Aboriginal art was flooding the market – unchecked and causing real harm to our culture – he chose to take a stand. It truly was a David vs Goliath battle. Speaking out came at a significant personal and financial cost, including a legal battle that lasted nearly three years and pushed us to our limits. But it was worth it. That fight contributed to greater awareness and the development of regulations that now help protect Aboriginal art, artists, and, most importantly, cultural integrity. That is something we are incredibly proud of.
Another defining moment was the fight to free the Aboriginal Flag. Once again, Michael stood up – this time alongside a strong group of advocates – to challenge the control of the flag by parties who did not represent the broader community. Being part of the movement that saw the flag returned to Aboriginal people is something we will always hold close.
Beyond these major moments, we’ve also been humbled to receive recognition from local organisations, government, and community groups. Those acknowledgements mean a great deal to us.
But in truth, every single day feels like an achievement. To still be here, sharing our story, connecting people to culture, and creating meaningful engagement – this is what truly defines Dreamtime Kullilla-Art. We have not just created a retail shop & gallery – we have created the Dreamtime Kullilla-Art experience.
Just been advised we have achieved Best of Queensland Status 2026 – for the third year in a row and also Moreton Bay Champion which we are so pleased about – our hard work is paying off.“
How has the business stayed strong and adaptable across changing times?
“Our strength has come from staying true to our core mission as an Aboriginal-owned enterprise – remaining grounded in culture, community, and storytelling for over 30 years.
Self-belief has been essential. At times, it can feel like you are the only ones who truly believe in your vision, so holding firm to that belief has carried us through many challenges.
Equally important has been adaptability. We’ve learned that being flexible is not optional in business – it’s necessary. Sometimes that means changing direction, and other times it means taking a step back in order to move forward more strategically.
We’ve also learned the importance of not accepting the first piece of advice without question. Seeking second opinions, challenging ideas, and making sure decisions genuinely align with our values and goals has been key to our resilience.
It’s this combination of cultural grounding, belief in ourselves, and willingness to adapt that has helped us stay strong through changing times.
“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him.” – David Brinkley
Are you planning anything special to celebrate your 30th year?
“Yes, as part of our 30-year anniversary celebration we are having a 30 Year Birthday Sale during the Month of May to give back to our supporters and customer base who have helped us to still be here today. We are so appreciative of our supporters and customer base.
We are also actively seeking opportunities to strengthen partnerships and contribute to Queensland’s Tourism conversation. Specifically, we are exploring collaboration with Tourism and Events Queensland on shared initiatives like cultural tourism storytelling, event activations, and destination marketing. You have to try everything to help you remain relevant and in focus.“
As you celebrate 30 years, what excites you most about the future of Dreamtime Kullilla-Art?
“As we’ve mentioned, our daughter Taylar-Jo has now joined the team as the next generation to help steer Dreamtime Kullilla-Art forward. She represents a new era for the business – one that is confident and natural in embracing technology and new ways of working. Her approach is already helping us evolve, teaching us to work smarter rather than harder, while still staying true to who we are.”
“Looking to the future brings both excitement and a natural sense of uncertainty. However, we are confident that whatever lies ahead, we have the strength, resilience and lived experience built over 30 years to endure and adapt to whatever comes our way.
Most importantly, we are excited to continue growing the legacy of Dreamtime Kullilla-Art and ensuring it remains strong for the next generation.”
