Ellengerah Carter's NSW Rocks initiative to make residents smile

The nation-wide initiative has been a phenomenon across the state for some time now, with a Facebook group, NSW Rocks, boasting over 50,000 members.

For Ellengerah Carter, the initiative is a way to spread positivity.

Ms Carter has been distributing rocks, covered in indigenous patterns and inspirational quotes in the region since the COVID-19 lockdown.

Ms Carter said she was prompted to start painting the rocks after she had found one herself.

"When the lockdown and homeschooling started my daughter and I started doing lots," she said.

"She got over it quickly, but I kept painting and dropping them, enlisting friends and family to drop them when they travel. I hope whoever finds a rock of mine ultimately smiles. I hope it impacts them in a positive way. If they feel like they want to share that little bit of happiness with someone else and re-hide it, that's great, but if they want to keep it because it resonates with them, then that's fantastic too."

Ms Carter said she hopes the messages on her rocks inspire those who find them.

"A lot of my rocks are positive-inspiring messages for women. I painted a lot during some really tough times for all of us," she said.

"Instead of feeling helpless, I found sharing kindness with strangers made me feel great. Especially when I saw the big smiles on the people who found them on the NSW Rocks page. I know most of my rocks make people happy when they find them and that's what matters most.

"I also do a lot of Aboriginal culture-inspired rocks. I'm a Wiradjuri woman from Narromine/Narrandera. I think little colourful rocks are a brilliant, passive way to share knowledge and inspire others to learn a little about Aboriginal culture.

"It also encourages people to slow down, take the time to look around and appreciate nature and their surroundings."

Ms Carter said she paints and hides 20 rocks per week and has helpers who leaver them in Narromine, Dubbo, Nyngan and Trangie.

She encourages local residents to have a look at the NSW Rocks Facebook page for more information.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: