Daniel’s childhood was shaped by life on a farm in Gymbowen, West Wimmera, after being born in Nhill, Victoria. Yet, it was the family’s relocation to Mildura, Victoria, at the age of ten that profoundly introducedhim to the vibrant cultural traditions of the Indigenous community there.

Embraced warmly by this community, Daniel and his family engaged deeply with both traditional and contemporary cultural practices. This immersion enabled them to overcome the constraints of generational ignorance and hardship that they had previously faced due to limited cultural acceptance.

As they were welcomed into the Latji Latji and Barkindji communities, extensive research led Daniel and his family to develop a meaningful connection to their ancestry, tracing their roots to the Yorta Yorta tribal lands. Today, Daniel holds a strong sense of pride in his Yorta Yorta heritage. He dedicates himself to learning, practicing, and sharing aspects of his cultural knowledge to ensure that this heritage endures for future generations.

Daniel’s artistic journey has been varied, featuring exhibitions at respected venues such as Workspace 3496 Gallery, Mildura Art Centre Gallery, Dulka Yuppata Training Centre Gallery, and prominently, the Koorie Heritage Trust’s Birrarung Building Gallery. There, he was honored with the Creative Victorian Award for Excellence in Any Media for his woven artwork, Goanna Outback 2023.

His creative passion spans many mediums and methods, including drawing, sculpture, painting, and large-scale public murals. Nevertheless, sculptural weaving is where Daniel has found his true calling. By blending traditional weaving techniques with contemporary shapes and materials, he experiences this craft as a therapeutic practice central to his personal healing.

Throughout his artistic career, Daniel has consistently drawn inspiration and support from his family and community. Their steadfast encouragement has empowered him to explore his creative capabilities, deepen his ties to his cultural heritage, and continue evolving as an artist.

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How much longer are we going to be out here, Granddad? We, as young kids, would ask while fishing in his little Tinny out on the lake in his favourite fishing spot, for hours.

He would reply, "Just one more cast" or often, "how long is a piece of string," so we soon learnt, first go to the toilet before going out fishing and second, not to ask how long.

I share countless good fishing memories with my siblings, going out fishing and camping with Granddad, traveling great distances to try our luck in entering many fishing competitions around Victoria.

In the spirited rivalry of trying to catch the biggest fish, Granddad and us kids were constantly competing.

'Proudly' Granddad's dominance as the champion was unmistakable, as shown by the array of trophies on the shelf, the presence of two new boats in the shed, and numerous prizes he had accumulated over the years.

Granddad, who spent his life residing near lakes and rivers, had a deep passion for fishing. He used to reminisce of stories from his youth about fishing with just a stick and a piece of string for a rod or tying empty kerosene tins together to make a raft to get out to the good spots.

In his final years, Granddad resided in a nursing home. One memorable day, before his passing, I had the opportunity to take him fishing. True to form, Granddad outperformed us all by catching the only fish of the day. Immediately, he requested for it to be cleaned and cooked; he enjoyed it immensely.

Fishing has always held a significant place in my heart, with many great memories created.

Through the integration of natural wicker (Rattan)cane and other materials like aluminium foil. Patiently I have employed the technique of intertwined weaving to create a work that encapsulates my memories within the form of the classic fish shape.