Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE

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Students create Mural at Gowrie Street

An official opening of two architectural murals designed and created by students of Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE (GOTAFE) and Gowrie Street Primary School was presented at the Manega building of the school on Monday 14th September.

Over 300 students and guests were audience to the celebrations outside the Manega building where the two murals have been assembled and displayed.

Principal of Gowrie Street, Mr. Travis Eddy explained the murals were created over four days of NAIDOC week celebrations in July.

"The staff and cultural art students of GOTAFE worked with all the grades of our Gowrie Street students to design and create the murals which will forever be part of the Manega building as a representation of the diversity in culture and community spirit we hold value at the school."

The story of the first mural; 'Turtle Journey', tells of the life cycle of the long neck turtle from birth, to youth, to becoming an elder. The story represents the two long necked turtle parting ways, for education, employment and moving on to start their own families and finding their own way in life. Even though they are parting ways, the long neck turtles are looking back it each other; because they have a connection with each other. They will always be in the thoughts of each other, no matter where or how for apart they are from each other, they are always thinking of each other and their families.

The second mural; 'Branching out from the past to the future', represents the connection to culture between elders and children, the elders are teaching the youth about the past and are trying to carry it on into the future.

The elders represent the themes of their teachings of men's, women's and kids business.

In women's business it shows gathering of food using digging sticks and collecting plant roots for dyes and leaves for making and designing baskets.

Secondly, the men's business with the dancing to tell stories and lastly the kids business shows the kids playing netball/basketball, marn grook, fishing and swimming.

Sports are represented in the mural as it is an important part of the Indigenous community and the students want to continue to encourage an active and healthy lifestyle.

The mural also shows computers and books to represent education as importance.

Specialist for GOTAFEs Koorie Education Unit, Ms. Carol Smith said the Manega Mural Project really inspired the GOTAFE Indigenous students. "Collectively, they designed the artwork and were involved in mentoring the Gowrie Street students into the production of the murals."

DAgostino Engineering sponsored and arranged the mural framing and installation.

For more information about Indigenous artwork and education at the Centre for Koorie Education phone 1300 GOTAFE (1300 468 233) or visit www.gotafe.vic.edu.au