We acknowledge the Bpangerang People, the traditional custodians of this land, and we pay our respects to their elders, past, present and emerging.
The name of our school Wangaratta is the Bpangerang word for the long neck of the cormorant.
Indigenous Inspired Artwork Mural
The concept for the Indigenous inspired mural stemmed from student ideas raised in Yarning Circle, run by Marrung Lead and Teacher Andrea Belci, where students voiced that they felt a lack of Indigenous representation within the school. One of the students, who is part of the Prefect team, took the idea for the mural to School Council & here they gained approval for a mural on a school building.
With the assistance of local artist Ronan Holdsworth, the mural design was created to celebrate diversity and features the Ovens and Murray rivers meeting, along with an array of animals and plants. 22 students from years 7 to 11 were involved throughout the process, from conceptualisation and planning, through to the painting and unveiling of the artwork.
The school is grateful for Ronan’s involvement in a project that supports student design, collaboration and creative expression. Ronan has completed a number of murals around Wangaratta and other works with local schools so his expertise is highly regarded.
The mural represents a feeling of connection. Connection to the rivers, connection to local landscapes (Warbys) & connection to school. Creating an artwork that will be here for a long time that the students can be proud of. There are also depictions of local animals in the mural: a long necked turtle & a rainbow serpent (creation animal) plus other animal footprints. References to star constellations can also be seen.
Mural Radio Interview
ABC Goulburn Murray Breakfast interviewed some of our students about their Indigenous artwork concept. Producer Sarah Krieg spoke with Prefect student Lillian, Artist Ronan Holdsworth, Marrung Leader and Teacher Andrea Belci to gain an insight on what the mural means to them.
Click here to listen and find out more.
A large thanks to both the MADEC and NESAY for their support and contributions to the project.
The mural project has been supported financially with funds from NESAY to provide a positive connection for Indigenous students to the school environment & MADEC who support Indigenous students with scholarships to support learning.
