The You’N Me Family of Portraits Incorporation is a not-for-profit organisation established with the aim of enabling young south coast Indigenous people to travel to an Indigenous community in Arnhem land in the Northern Territory (NT). 

Towamba artist Vicki McCredie envisaged a cultural experience for young south coast Indigenous people in Arnhem land after travelling there in 2016.

 Ms McCredie painted a family of portraits of Indigenous people on the south coast that she hoped to sell to fund the initiative.

Mr Lygon was thrilled to hear the news that he had been invited to participate in the initiative.  

“When I was offered the trip, of course I said ‘yes!’,” he said. “I feel pretty lucky to be given this opportunity.”

Mr Lygon has chosen to travel to the town of Maningrida which is located 500km east of Darwin in the NT, and hopes to set off in September this year.  

As an Indigenous educator, he hopes to connect with the local school and learn more about their cultural education and language programs.

He also hopes to spend time exploring the township and surrounds and immerse himself in the culture of the region.

“Overall, I want to experience the place and get a feel for the strong culture,” he said.  

Ms McCredie said that she hopes that the You’N Me Family of Portraits initiative will help to inspire other young Indigenous people to make the trip.

“We hope to provide money so young Indigenous people can go on their own adventure.

“Hopefully they will come back and share their experience with the local community, and this will inspire others to also go on a journey,” she said.

For Mr Lygon, his culture is an integral part of his identity as a young Aboriginal man with this trip providing further opportunity to build broader cultural connections. 

“This trip means a lot to me. Culture drives my life. It is what I am all about,” he said.