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Uncle Paul Constable Calcott is a proud Wiradjuri man, artist, and advocate, residing on Gubbi Gubbi Country. As the founder of Hot Pink Goanna, Uncle Paul uses his art to share powerful stories of his experiences as an Aboriginal gay man living with a disability in urban Australia. His work embodies resilience, pride, and inclusivity, creating spaces for conversations that inspire understanding and connection.
With over 40 years of experience in the disability sector, Uncle Paul has dedicated his career to supporting First Nations communities, focusing on culturally respectful services and resources. In 2010, he founded the NuunaRon Art Group, a ground-breaking initiative that provides support and a platform for First Nations artists living with disabilities to express themselves and celebrate their identities.
Uncle Paul’s advocacy extends to the global stage. In 2017, he represented Indigenous artists with disabilities as a delegate at the United Nations, where he presented a painting symbolising inclusion and human rights. His artwork was prominently displayed on the UN's big screen, amplifying the voices of First Nations people with disabilities and highlighting the importance of cultural identity in international human rights conversations.
A tireless champion for inclusion, Uncle Paul continues to serve on multiple committees and advisory boards, ensuring that the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disabilities are heard and respected. Through his art and advocacy, Uncle Paul celebrates diversity, challenges stereotypes, and builds pathways for cultural understanding on a local and global level.
In this episode, Uncle Paul shares pivotal moments from his life, including his experiences growing up as a fair-skinned Aboriginal person, his journey as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and his lifelong advocacy for disability rights. He discusses the significance of the NAIDOC theme "Keep the fire burning black, loud and proud," and how he embodies this through his work in the arts and on the global stage, such as speaking at the United Nations. The episode also covers Uncle Paul's hopes for the next generation, the challenges and progress made in disability acceptance within the Indigenous community, and a call to action for listeners to support the newly formed "Mob for Mob" peak body. Throughout the conversation, Uncle Paul's resilience, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices shine through, making this an inspiring and enlightening listen.
https://www.hotpinkgoanna.com/
https://www.mob4mob.org.au/
Thank you to Shannan Bishop, a proud Gunggari Artist and Graphic Designer, who also has connections to Wakka Wakka and Kabi Kabi, for designing The Dreaming Collective's Podcast Artwork. Shannan's art depicts our host, Carly Forrest's journey of bringing the podcast to life and shows the coming together of freshwater and saltwater ~ red dirt and sand with the sharing of our storylines connecting us all and preserving these yarns for future generations.
This season of the podcast has been funded by has been funded by the National Indigenous Australians Agency as a National NAIDOC Week Activity.
