NAIDOC Week 2022

“As Wurundjeri people, our lifestyle depends very much on the rhythm of the seasons,” Ms. Clarke said.

“In reading the country, sky, stars, and seasons, we know exactly when to hunt, plant, and harvest – for example, the flowering of a particular plant is a marker for seasonal events.”

The mural depicts Bunjil, a creator deity in Wurundjeri culture, represented in the artwork as a wedge-tailed eagle. 

Flowing across the mural are waterholes and running water, which symbolise energy and life. 

“We gather around water sources for food such as fish,” Ms Clarke explains. 

“Some of the local waterways are Arnolds Creek, Toolern Creek, and the Werribee River.”

Shown next to the waterholes and running water are native grasses, including tussock, spear, common reed, grass trees and spiny headed mat rush. Traditionally, grasses and reeds are woven into bags, while some grass seeds are eaten. 

At the top of the mural are gumtree leaves, which represent cleansing and Ceremony, and are also used for medicine. 

Also shown in the mural are prickly currant bush red berries, which are a native food source, as well as dianella, which has berries which are eaten and leaves which are used to weave nets, bags, and other materials. 

About Lee-Anne Clarke

Lee-Anne has been a creative artist for over 30 years, and with strong ties to her Aboriginal homelands, she finds her creative outlet through connection to Country. 

She is a traditional and contemporary artist whose main medium is acrylic on canvas. However, she has also been commissioned to create several large-scale public artworks. These include the Uncle Boots and Aunty Joyce mural at St Albans Community Centre & Bowery Theatre, and The Five Elements project at the AWARD winning Sunvale Community Park in collaboration with fellow artist Mandi Barton. Recently Lee-Anne has been commissioned to create artworks by the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service for their new Clinic in St Albans. Instagram: @lee_anneclarkeart

The mural was officially launched as part of the centre’s NAIDOC Week activities, which included a Welcome to Country Ceremony conducted by local Wurundjeri elder Aunty Julieanne at 9.30am on Tuesday 5 July 2022.