Federation Youth Council, in conjunction with Federation Council, is excited to announce the new mural project completed recently.
Federation Council Mayor, Cr Patrick Bourke said the Federation Youth Council has been working alongside Street Artist Samuel Hall to create a mural on the banks of Lake Mulwala at Apex Park.
“The project will involve the creation of a mural covering two sides of the Apex Park public toilet block that tells a local story and educates youth and visitors on historic local story of the Mulwala area,” he said.
Engaged by Federation Council to complete this mural, Sam draws inspiration for his work from nature and spiritual world, and features bright colours, environmental themes that include site specific Australian flora and fauna, and connecting relationships between human and nature throughout each individual piece.
“The mural design incorporates Mary Jane Rose, the Grandmother of Mulwala who resided once arriving in Australia in Wahgunyah, moving to Savernake and later settling in Mulwala,” Sam, from Woolongong, told the Yarrawonga Chronicle.
Mary was the local nurse and midwife, often walking to towns surrounding Mulwala to deliver babies for many locals. As the local nurse, Mary cared for the sick throughout the region prior to a doctor settling in Yarrawonga. Over three generations of families benefited from Mary’s kindness, strength and care.
Mulwala is the Bangerang name for a White Bellied Sea Eagle, which is also represented in the mural design, which was passed to Federation Council by the late Uncle Freddie Dowling. The eagle is an animal which symbolises the links to the local traditional owners of the land, connecting the strength of the community and kindness Mary represents for the local township of Mulwala today.
Symbolic and flora features are carried throughout the design to encompass past and present flowers and plants used in traditional Bangerang medicine and cuisine, that can still be found throughout the region today.
“The project will create a unique space that attracts further visitation to Apex Park, encourages outdoor play and fosters a sense of community pride,” Mayor Bourke said.
