Published on Wednesday, 23 November 2022 at 10:18:08 AM
A new mural artwork by local South West Aboriginal Noongar, Yamatji and Baiyungu Artist, Korrine Bennell-Yarran from Karrak Designs will be installed as a welcoming acknowledgment to country and entry statement to the new Eaton Bowling Club and Senior Citizens Building.
During planning for construction of the building, it was identified the buildings and car park was next to the eagle or walitch swamp, a confirmed Aboriginal place of cultural significance related to the Ngarngungudditj Walgu (the hairy faced snake) who created the entire Collie River system and associated wetlands.
Following consultation with local Aboriginal Elders, the Shire of Dardanup agreed to install a cultural artwork as acknowledgment to country on the exterior of the building.
Elders specified the theme of the mural should be in keeping with the local surroundings.. Elements such as sunsets/sunrises, waalitj (eagle), local fish species, pelicans and other birds, trees and other native plants will be key to the mural’s design.
Dardanup Shire President Mick Bennett said: “Acknowledging the cultural significance of the land where the new Bowling Club sits and indeed the larger area of the Eaton Foreshore has been a priority of Council for some time.”
“This mural will serve as a beautiful entry statement for visitors to the facility for many years to come.”
Artist Korrine Bennell-Yarran is an award-winning local artist, who has had works exhibited in many WA galleries, exhibitions, Perth’s Yagan Square and the Noongar Art Exchange in China.
Korrine will also seek mentorship from another local artist, Guiseppe Rugnetta from The Papa Guiseppe who has significant experience with large scale public art projects in similar aerosol mediums.
This mural will be installed under the guidance of the Noongar Arts Coordinator from the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, Karen Morgan.
Community members can learn more about the significance of the Eaton Foreshore and Ngarngungudditj Walgu (the hairy faced snake) on the Shire of Dardanup’s Website where local Elder Jo Northover has recorded the story.
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