Toby Finlayson and Sean James Cassidy stand in front of the mural Yindyamarra — a Wiradjuri word meaning “deep respect” — in Baguio Northern Philippines. The mural was named in recognition of the cultural exchange and ongoing support the region has received from Central West creatives such as Finlayson and Cassidy.
A cross-cultural creative dialogue is emerging between Sean James Cassidy, Parkesbased artist and director of UB UBBO EXCHANGE, and Toby Finlayson, Forbes-born co-founder and CEO of Desert Pea Media (DPM), grounded in a shared belief that storytelling can strengthen identity, preserve culture, and create pathways for healing within communities.
Finlayson is widely respected throughout the Central West for his long-standing commitment to preserving First Nations culture through music, film, and digital storytelling.
Cassidy’s Ub Ubbo Exchange has built a strong reputation for supporting emerging artists and musicians, creating pathways for regional creatives to connect with established national and international talent.
The pair recently travelled together to the Philippines for a cultural exchange, reconnecting creatively for the first time since collaborating there in 2012 on a music and arts project. During the visit, Cassidy and Finlayson met with First Nations tribal communities to explore opportunities for future cultural exchange programs and community-engaged arts initiatives throughout Asia and the South Pacific.
Now, the collaboration is moving into a new phase. Cassidy and Finlayson are currently developing a pilot video project designed to spark broader conversations around preserving culture through arts and music engagement. The project ties into internationally recognised cultural celebrations including International Mother Language Day on February 21 and Australia–Philippines Friendship Day on May 22.
For Cassidy and Finlayson, they describe the process as a “yarn” — an ongoing conversation shaped by trust, deep listening, and mutual respect.