By Eleanor Wilson
Two pedestrian portables at Bunyip’s Columba Catholic Primary School have been given a new lease on life – transformed into an Indigenous art mural in collaboration with by Arrernte artist Scott Rathman.
A project headed by Mr Rathman through his company Rusted Tin Aboriginal Arts, students spent several days workshopping designs and forming an understanding of First Nations culture before the mural was finished on Monday 5 June.
Principal Andrew Greco said the two large mural artworks will change the landscape of the school grounds for many years to come.
“As part of Reconciliation Week, student classes have taken a focus on First Nation’s history and culture which culminated with the mural workshops with Scott Rathman,“ he said.
“There’s a lot of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander curriculum we try to incorporate into the classroom, so when you actually have a landmark or an icon in the school you can really refer to, the kids identify with it.
“It’s about educating the non-Indigenous pupils as well.“
The two murals focus on the themes of friendship and possibility, which is based on workshops with students looking at connection and belonging as related to their school.
Mr Rathman, who is based in South Australia, has spent several years travelling around the country to implement the murals into primary schools, which he believes is a key way to promote inclusive learning.
“As Aboriginal people we’ve been mark-making for thousands of years so it is a continuation of that process, but it is also a good reminder for non-Indigenous people that we’re still here,“ he said.
“Traditionally Aboriginal art is involved in storytelling, so for me the process is about working with, in particular young people, an giving them the opportunity to share a story that is relevant to them.
“Other than the focus on historical stories, like the Dreamtime, it’s also about telling new stories and teaching young people, Aboriginal or not, about the power of using art as a storytelling tool.“
