Billy Cooley was born on a cattle station on the Barkly Tablelands of the Northern Territory and spent much of his early life as a stockman. He and his Pitjantjatjara wife, Lulu have always worked closely together raising their six children and making spectacular carvings on their home land, Ulaipa near Amata on the APY Lands of South Australia. They have been long term directors of Maruku, working closely with management for decades. The couple has participated in many exhibitions and carving demonstrations at Uluru as well as nationally and overseas.

Billy’s snakes are in high demand worldwide. His distinctive design was copied from a real snake. His great carving skills can be seen in the way his snakes are shaped. They have also collaborated with Sydney designer Tony Hurd on a furniture series with Altone Design. Billy and Lulu now take great pride in passing on their skills not only to their children but grand and great-grandchildren as well.

Lulu Cooley is minyma ulkumunu, a senior Aboriginal woman. She is a consummate carver of many years experience specialising in piti and wira, traditional bowls, as well as walka boards. Lulu remembers learning her carving skills from her mother and other female relatives in the 1960s. Long and close observation and practice has led to her beautiful, distinctive ‘scallop’ style.

Lulu and husband Billy Cooley, snake carver extraordinaire, have always worked closely together, raising their six children and making spectacular carvings on their home land, Ulaipa near Amata on the APY Lands of South Australia. They have been long term directors of Maruku, working closely with management for decades. In recent years the couple have spent extended time based at Mutitjulu and have participated in many exhibitions and carving demonstrations at Uluru as well as nationally and overseas. Lulu and Billy now take great pride in passing on their skills not only to their children but grandchildren as well.

David Cooley is the eldest son of Billy and Lulu Cooley, a renowned husband and wife carving partnership from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands in South Australia. Born in the bush at Mulga Park Station, David lives with his family on their homeland east of Amata Community. He has worked variously with the CDEP Community works program, as a Community Police Aide and currently works with the local Amata Community School.

Marlene Cooley is the daughter of Billy and Lulu Cooley, a renowned husband and wife carving partnership from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands in South Australia. Their skills have been passed on through the Tjukurpa, the Law and way of life governing their country and they have raised their children in this strong tradition. Marlene has long assisted her parents, going with them on trips to collect wood and helping to etch the design work under her mother’s instructions. She has been making and selling carvings in her own right since about 2001.

Raschelle Minutjukur Cooley is the daughter of Marlene Cooley and granddaughter of Billy and Lulu Cooley, a renowned husband and wife carving partnership from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands in South Australia. Their skills have been passed on through the Tjukurpa, Law and way of life governing their country and they have raised their children in this strong tradition. Raschelle has recently begun learning from her mother and grandparents to etch and paint the distinctive family design work on walka boards and canvas.

Catherine grew up with her grandparents Billy & Lulu Cooley on their homeland near Amata, SA and spent her recent time in Port Augusta, SA.

She learnt from her Cooley family burning Walka boards and dot painting and created her first art piece at Maruku in August 2023 while staying with aunt Marlene Cooley at Maruku in Mutitjulu Community.