Article: A Heartfelt Thank You from Mainie Australia
A Heartfelt Thank You from Mainie Australia
As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on what has been an extraordinary year for Mainie Australia and we are filled with immense gratitude for the friends, customers and supporters who have helped us on this journey.
What started in 2015 in our hometown of Cairns as a passion project to showcase authentic Aboriginal art on luxurious fashion pieces has grown beyond what we ever imagined.
This year marked some incredible milestones, including the opening of our new retail outlets at The Pier and the Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal. These beautiful spaces now stand as gateways for locals and visitors alike to discover the unique stories and exquisite artisanship behind our collections.
We are deeply grateful to our Cairns stockists who continue to support us, including the Cairns Art Gallery, Pullman Reef Hotel Casino and Skyrail Rainforest Cableway. These partnerships mean the world to us and allow more people to experience the beauty and significance of Mainie designs.
Expanding Across Australia
We also extend our thanks to our national stockists, who have helped bring Mainie to a broader audience across Australia. You can now find Mainie at major international airports, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Darwin and Canberra, connecting travellers to the rich stories of Australia’s First Nations people.
Our presence in leading cultural precincts is a source of pride, with stockists such as The Spirit Gallery at The Rocks, Aboriginal Art Galleries at the Queen Victoria Building and the Australia Museum at The Domain in Sydney, Gosford Art Gallery, Sails in the Desert Resort at Uluru, Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs, Gallery of Modern Art at South Bank and the Museum of Brisbane.
These iconic venues align with our mission to celebrate and share the cultural heritage of Aboriginal Australia.
Recognising Our Achievements
This year, we were deeply honoured to be named Finalists in the Premier of Queensland's Export Awards for 2024. This recognition for our First Nations enterprise is a testament to the dedication of everyone involved in Mainie, from our talented Aboriginal women artists and their families to our incredible team and loyal customers.
Gratitude to Our Artists
Our journey would not be possible without the extraordinary Aboriginal women artists who share their stories and culture through their breathtaking designs. Your work is the heart and soul of Mainie, and we are privileged to be part of preserving and sharing your heritage with the world.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2025, we remain committed to our vision of creating a globally recognised Australian brand that offers luxurious, authentic and sustainable fashion, empowers Aboriginal women artists and delights our customers.
To our friends, customers and supporters, we thank you for choosing Mainie and for believing in our mission.
May the new year bring you happiness, prosperity and fulfillment. From our family to yours, we wish you all the very best for 2025.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Charmaine (Mainie) Saunders and Denis Keeffe
Co-Founders, Mainie Australia
*Please note that Mainie’s head office, retail shop and fulfilment centre will be closed from Sunday 22 December until Friday 27 December. For any urgent enquiries during this period, please contact Denis Keeffe on 0400 11 26 26.
