New Mural unveiled at St Mary’s during NAIDOC Week

The unveiling of a new mural, painted especially for Catherine McAuley College Bendigo, was unveiled in a very special NAIDOC Week event on Thursday 11 July.

The mural was designed by Palawa Trawlwoolway artist Josie Gower, with the support of CMCB First Nations students and headspace Bendigo Youth Ambassadors.

At the launch. Josie acknowledged the CMCB students who were part of the process creating the mural. “They showed me some of their art and they shared what they wanted to see on the mural.”

headspace Bendigo has been connecting with Catherine McAuley College Bendigo students this year, and Josie’s mural will be a lasting reminder of their continued collaboration. “As part of our work with the school, we invited Josie to meet the students, and the school’s Koorie Education Worker Stephen Korp.” (Haylee Kennedy, headspace Bendigo)

The College is very grateful to headspace Bendigo for coordinating the project and unveiling event. Thank you also to the Bendigo NAIDOC Week Committee and headspace National for the First Nations Healing and Wellbeing grant to make this wonderful event possible.

ARTIST INTERVIEW

Josie Gower, proud Palawa Trawlwoolway Woman

Tell us a little bit about the inspiration or story behind this new work? 

“The story of my new work is about the strong connection First Nation’s people have with our Country. Through sitting with Country and connecting with our Culture, we honour our Ancestors. I was fortunate to meet with a few of the Catherine McAuley College Bendigo students before the painting process. They expressed their ideas and showed me some of the art they were creating and the animals that were important to them.

“Just before I started the mural, I was sitting on the river thinking about what to paint. Whilst I was watching the water, a beautiful platypus popped out and said hello. For me this was my Ancestors giving me inspiration and guiding me through this process.

“Other elements in the painting are two meeting places with a fire in the middle; these two meeting places represent the two campuses of Catherine McAuley College Bendigo.”

Have you had the chance to also work with students as part of the mural project? And, if so, what has been the value in this? 

“Before starting the mural, I was fortunate to visit College campuses. I was able to meet with Haylee from headspace Bendigo and Stephen Korp, Koorie Education Worker from Catherine McAuley College Bendigo and a few of the students. They showed me some of their art and they shared what they wanted to see on the mural. This was a crucial part of the planning and creation process for the mural.”

What role do you hope this mural will go on the play at the school? 

“I hope that the mural is a way for people to connect with First Nation’s art and gives people an insight into the connection that First Nations people have with the Country.”

What does it mean for you to be included on the NAIDOC Week program through headspace? 

“For me it means that I get to continue the relationship with Haylee and the headspace team. The amazing headspace team give me this incredible opportunity to not only create a mural but also share my passion and the love I have for Country, art and my people.”

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Read more about the Project in this Bendigo Community Health article.