Churchill (Yoonany) was born on Texas Downs Station in 1947, where his father was a stockman and his mother worked in the station homestead. He speaks both kitja and mirriuwong.

He spent most of his working life on Texas and followed in his fathers footsteps as a valued stockman and horse-breaker. He also worked on Alice Downs, Mabel Downs, Spring Creek and Lissadel stations.

Along with Dougie McCale and Patrick Mung Mung, he eventually moved to Turkey Creek (Warmun Community).

There he began to paint with his close friend Rover Thomas, and with Jack Britten, Patrick, Hector, Henry and the other male artists. He quickly became noticed for his individual style and went on to participate in many exhibitions with his paintings now in galleries and collections world wide.

His painting, “Texas Downs Country”, appeared on the cover of the prestigious publication “The Unseen in Scene” by Elizabeth Bahr and was printed in both English and German.

He is rather “surrounded” by art – his female relatives being recognised artists – Betty Carrington, Nancy Nodea, Sade Carrington and their daughters Charlene and Dolorosa – they have a son, Glen who appears thus far to have escaped the brush and ochre!

Churchill spends a good deal of time in Kununurra and paints in the Gallery. He is always welcome – always smiling – and is a great help with demonstrating didgeridoo techniques.

He loves to paint and is a marvellous storyteller – particularly about his paintings!!

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