I was born in Sydney in the late 50's and lived all my life on the south coast.

My Mother was a "Gorawarl" woman of Kernel Botany Bay and was born on the reserve at La Perouse. My father was a "Jerrawongarla" born on the Coolangatta Mountain (Near Nowra) with his siblings, mother and Grandmother.

My father was soon removed to the Roseberry Park Aboriginal reserve and shortly after left the reserve to join the secret fishing community at Summercloud Cove in Wreck Bay, where he became a fisherman of the old tradition.

Although I have lived all my life on Wreck Bay, I come from a long line of "Gorawarl" La Perouse artists, shellworkers, story tellers and tool makers. My mother would sell the arts and cultural objects at the "Loop" (La Perouse Botany Bay) as did her mother, my Grandmother.

The Simms Ardler family lines have been a part of the south coast cultural memory for over 150 years.

I have never been dispossessed of my home and am proud to be a recognised part of the whole south coast Yuin Nation. I have an undbroken connection with my country, people and tradition.

My life gives me inspiration from storytelling and I expresses my art as another dimension of personal interpretation. It's how everything continues through culture and maintains, and strengthens connections to Country; "it's my life, it's in the blood, it's family and it's forever".