We can’t wait for you to meet our Sydney Design Market Indigenous Program stallholder when we return to Carriageworks this May 3-5!

Penelope Towney, aka Towney Time, is a 10-year-old Wiradjuri and Palawa change-maker already making waves. Penny is a film maker, public speaker and social justice advocate who is passionate about preserving her languages and culture for the future generations. Penny recently launched a YouTube channel, ‘Towney Time’ which aims to educate others.

You can meet Penny and her cousins Chanaciya and Corleigha at the Sydney Design Market, May 3-5 at Carriageworks, with all things ‘Towney Time’ and the launch of their new business venture, ‘Walan Miimi’, which means ‘strong sister’ in Wiradjuri.

What inspired you to start Towney Time?

I was inspired to start Towney Time by watching my favourite YouTubers, Moriah Elizabeth, LaurenZside, LD Shadowlady, EY STREEM and Jazza. It’s been important for me, because it’s given me a chance to express myself, learn more and have fun.

How do you choose the topics for Towney Time videos?

The way that I choose topics to film for Towney Time is honestly just living my life and hearing something, or having an experience where I think, ‘that would make a great episode of Towney Time.’

What can visitors expect from your stall at The Finders Keepers?

Visitors can expect to meet me and my cousins, Corleigha and Chanaciya. You will be able to catch episodes of my educational YouTube channel, ‘Towney Time’, ask me questions about it and also take pics. I’ve been making jewellery with beads from different eras. Some of the beads have been repurposed from jewellery that is 70+ years old and that will be available to buy, as well as some of my art and Towney Time merch.

Who are you looking forward to seeing or meeting at the markets?

It’s been really exciting to look through all of the other Finders Keepers stalls, which are all so different and beautiful in their own way. I love Bossa & Co and would really like to purchase one of their jackets. Clownette as well, I can really see myself in their clothes. So cool! Another stall that caught my eye was Camtot Ceramics, which is so cute. I love the art on the ceramics and I also love dogs! I have a red cattle dog named Ziggy Stardust. I love Elisha Illustrates’ art style as well and definitely Alejandro Lauren, which is another Blakfulla business. His art is really vibrant and so stunning. Honestly, every single stall looks incredible and I feel inspired and happy to be a part of this.

What’s next for Penny and Towney Time?

I have some really big dreams for Towney Time and my life. I’d love to take my 10-year-old central bearded dragon Gadangul to Uluṟu, an area where central bearded dragons live so he can walk in the red dirt on his country. I know a lot of facts about bearded dragons, so it would be a great reason to share my knowledge and also learn from Aṉangu about their relationship with bearded dragons and the knowledge they have. I’d very much love to meet Dolly Parton one day, she is one of my heros and I dream of travelling to her theme park, ‘Dollywood’ to film an episode of Towney Time with her. One day I’d love to work alongside Disney and assist them in making a film that represents and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.