Community
4 April, 2025
Public art to showcase Indigenous culture
A STRIKING new artwork depicting the six seasons of the Eastern Maar people, has been installed on Warrnambool’s James Swan Reserve.
The nine metre, laser cut Corten steel mural is a collaborative community project between Leadership Great South Coast (LGSC) Community Leadership Program 2024 participants and Warrnambool College.
The mural is a replica of an artwork in place at Warrnambool College which Indigenous students at the school designed with assistance from local artists Sherry Johnstone and Mel Steffensen.
LGSC alumni and project lead Sarah Bubb-Dempster said the mural was aimed at highlighting local Indigenous culture in a public location.
“The Eastern Maar people base their year around six seasons on natural events like the wildflowers blooming, winds switching and different animals and insects appearing,” Ms Bubb-Dempster said.
“When we learnt about the mural, which had been created and proudly displayed at the college, we thought it needed to be on show in a public location and have worked with the students, their teacher Anthea Rafferty and local Indigenous groups to find a suitable location.
“When we found out that James Swan Reserve had long been a meeting place for local Indigenous people and its prominent location in the middle of town, it made it the perfect location.”
Ms Bubb-Dempster said the artwork was a striking piece that would catch people’s eye through interpretive signage, and enable people to learn more about local Indigenous culture.
Warrnambool College teacher Anthea Rafferty said it was important for students to see something they had created in a public place, telling their stories.
The project team successfully applied for grant funding and in-kind support from various organisations along with Warrnambool City Council and Warrnambool College.
The mural will be officially launched at a public celebration event tomorrow, Saturday April 5, from 9.30am.
The morning will also include music, cultural dance and a welcome to country.
The whole community is invited to take along a picnic to celebrate the creativity of the young Indigenous students and to celebrate this new piece of public art.
