MercyCare Bedford unveils new mural to celebrate First Nations culture

MercyCare Bedford Early Learning Centre is the third of five Bedford services to be brightened up with a new mural as part of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider’s push to celebrate First Nations culture and community. 

To unveil the mural MercyCare staff gathered with talented artist and proud Yamatji man Brian Blatchford from BKB Design. 

Mr Blatchford’s work encompasses a yarning circle and nest representing the Centre and children who attend and yellow kangaroo paws and red flowering gums common in the Bedford outdoor play space.

Swans symbolise the wildlife found within Baigup Wetlands which connects to the Derbal Yerrigan Bilya (Swan River) within the City of Bayswater. The Baigup wetlands are also recognised as a local site of significance for the Whadjuk Noongar people.

“Looking at this incredible mural I am sure we can all agree that Brian, along with the help of his sister Kahla, have created a truly inspiring work of art set to spark curiosity and expand the knowledge of our children, families and community,” said MercyCare Early Learning Mission and Quality Project Lead Courtney Barnard.

The unveiling of the mural was accompanied by an Acknowledgement of Country from MercyCare Aboriginal Pathway Project Coordinator Mark Parfitt and words on the importance of art and a thank you to the artist by MercyCare CEO Anthony Smith and Mission and Ethos Executive Director Vicky Gonzalez Burrows.

“Across our centres, we want the designs to reflect our community, our families, our outdoor spaces and acknowledge Aboriginal culture respectfully,” Ms Barnard said.

“They create a beautiful welcome statement for families and are going to be a great talking point, where we can really spark curiosity in the children and then scaffold their learning. If a child is interested in the artwork and asks about it, then that provides a great platform to have a yarn and spark a conversation about Aboriginal culture.”

To learn more about MercyCare Bedford, please see here.