By Tanya Steele
A new community art project “Walkin n Talking Together” has officially opened to the public with a small ceremony on Wednesday 9 August on the Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
The greenspace on Badger Creek Road next to the Oonah Belonging Place is now the home of a beautiful and contemplative art project for connection and community.
CEO at Oonah, Amanda Hand said that a lot of collaboration had gone into the project from a number of members of the community.
“They came up with a concept with us being able to put in something in this area that really reflects us all walkin’ and talkin’ together,” she said.
“So a lot of people have been involved with projects, so Chris who is with us today is the fantastic landscape person who put all of this together and Nikki Madgwick, who really did support kids through their work.”
FoodPatch Art and Oonah Belonging Place in Healesville, along with local students and artist Jenine Godwin-Thompson, a Proud Yaggerah Aboriginal woman also collaborated to develop the project.
Ms Godwin-Thompson thanked Yarra Ranges Council for having creative arts grants available for the project.
“The idea was about reconciliation and joining the Queen’s Park to utilise the lovely green space and it really adds with Oonah being nearby,” she said.
The new community artwork includes three sections of artwork on the pathways that tell cultural stories with three arbours and materials that will cover the rails on the bridge between the park and the skate park on Don Road.
The tiles and designs featured in the space were made by students at Badger Creek Primary School and participants in Oonah programs.
Ethne Pfeiffer of FoodPatch Art said the idea of the project is to continue the journey of reconciliation in the community and beyond.
“The tiles that the students made tell the story of cultural connection through education and the links to Coranderrk,” she said.
“When I first spoke to Jenine about working on a community art project, I had no idea she would dream up such a large project that would involve so many groups – It’s been a delight to have Oonah health and community services, local schools and others come on board.”
Ms Pfeiffer said that the landscaper, Christopher Bissels brought cultural and environmental understanding to the project and helped to structure the work.
After the opening ceremony, people gathered in the new space to walk, talk and take in the artworks and garden then met at Oonah afterwards for afternoon tea.
“I’m grateful for everyone’s cultural respect, effort and contribution to what is now a permanent installation for the whole community to enjoy,” Ms Pfeiffer said.
Works will continue along the bridge towards the Skate park on Don Road, but the main area of the park is now open for all to enjoy.
