Mick Harding: 

NGARGA WARENDJ: DANCING WOMBAT

Mick Harding is the founder of Ngarga Warendj (Dancing Wombat), family business man, carer of country and advocate for integrity.

Harding is part of the Yowong-Illam-Baluk and Nattarak Baluk clans of the Taungurung people of the Eastern Kulin Nation (Central Victoria), and for 30+ years, he has been exploring what his culture means to him.

For the first 20+ years of his life, Mick understood that perhaps he had Māori lineage. However, this type of information feeding loop is one of the devastating results of the Stolen Generations. However, he has gained the knowledge of his family history and the energy that carries shows in the quality of the work he produces.

Now, Mick Harding passes his knowledge on to his children, while continually learning within community, gaining popularity online and growing his platform.

* I met Mick and Nicole on the afternoon of Invasion Day in 2025 and spotted what are now my favourite earrings; a staple, if-you-will. The quality and the craftsmanship is undeniable, and the immediate warmth I felt from this local business means I will be back for more!

“I’m sorta trying to get this sense of fun as well,  even though  subliminally I’m trying to tell something that  means a whole lot to me, to us…” 

Mick Harding sings Land, Water and Sky - ACMI Commission

“We make sense of our world by the way in which we tell stories.”

Mick Harding

Discussion of artistic practice and how the discoveries made are a conversation between past, present and future.

“Our people have been here for over 2000 generations, that’s a long long long while. We wanna be able to continue to connect with that and then share it with everyone else as well.”

Mick Harding

Commissions:

  • 7th February 2025: “Baan Biik Woora Woora - Water, Land and Sky” (Displayed @ ACMI Entrance)

  • 1st September 2024: “Marnong Ngina Wurrdhan, Gorranwarra-Bil Wurrdhan, Dhumnji Wurrdhan” (Ryman Australia - Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan Artwork)

  • 20th June 2024: “Kilmore Football Netball Club Indigenous Round Womens' Guernsey and Netball Dress Design” (NAIDOC Round 2024)

  • 9th June 2024: “Forest Gallery, Biik Milboo Dhumba | Country Is Always Talking” (Melbourne Museum, the Forest Gallery)