General News
29 March, 2023
Collaborative artwork unveiled
ARTWORK created to inspire a better connection for students with the region’s rich Aboriginal history was unveiled this week.
ARTWORK created to inspire a better connection for students with the region’s rich Aboriginal history was unveiled this week.
St Colman’s Primary School hosted a barbecue for the community on Tuesday to officially unveil the artwork, in addition to an official opening and blessing of the school’s new undercover area.
The school commissioned the artwork through acclaimed Indigenous artist Emma Stenhouse, whose previous notable works include a Myer exclusive collection and designing the jerseys for the Melbourne-based Southside Flyers as part of the 2022 WNBL Indigenous Round.
Ms Stenhouse worked collaboratively with students to bring the design to life.
The artwork depicts scenery of the western district including Mt Shadwell, Mt Noorat and Mt Leura towering above Mortlake’s iconic Olivine, the Hopkins River, Tea Tree Lake and various gathering points and transport routes connecting each landmark.
St Colman’s Primary School principal Janet Cain said the opportunity to unveil the artwork in front of students and parents was a proud moment for the school.
“It was a very exciting celebration after the work the students have put in to it over the last year,” she said.
“Being able to sit back and look at the work they put in, recognise their contribution and admire the outcome is wonderful for the students.
“It is now a beautiful entrance piece for anyone who is welcomed to our school.”
The painting process was an opportunity not only for the students to lend their artistic talents to the project, but an open forum to be curious about Aboriginal culture and the ancient connections the region has to its first peoples.
“The students were able to brainstorm the aspects of the community they wanted to include, which included the three mounts representing the network schools from across the region,” Ms Cain said.
“The kids stand back and point out what they did, so they have a great connection to the piece, but also part of the purpose behind the piece was educational; to create Indigenous awareness, and develop what the students know about their community.”
Acciona’s Mortlake South Wind Farm site coordinator Sarah Church attended the unveiling, receiving a bouquet of flowers on behalf of students as a thank you.
“Every year we have a sponsorship grant open up around the beginning of March each year,” she said.
“We donate money to local clubs and schools in support of the community.
“Being a local myself, seeing the enjoyment the kids get out of this is really humbling, and to see the kids so happy with something they have produced is a great experience.”
Ms Cain thanked Acciona for their involvement in funding the project.
“Thank you to Acciona,” she said.
“We look forward to continuing to build a relationship and seeing what they can do to help the community.”
The event also marked the first opportunity for the school to welcome visitors to its new undercover basketball area, which was funded during the last two years of the school’s raffle.
“It was four years in the making, so it was a long time coming to be able to see it done,” Ms Cain said.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate that the students did this themselves; they raised the money and sold raffle tickets outside local stores.
“It’s a huge achievement for them.”