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KU Ashmont Preschool and Family Centre reveals collaborative mural
Freya Lucas
Jun 05, 2023
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KU Ashmont Preschool and Family Centre has unveiled a collaborative mural created by local Wiradjuri artist Terrie O’Brien who worked closely with the children from KU Ashmont, their families, and the local Aboriginal community on the piece.
The mural was unveiled on 1 June at a ceremony attended by Wiradjuri Elders and members of the local Aboriginal community; City of Wagga Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout; KU Children’s Services General Manager for Early Childhood Education Cherylanne Williams; representatives from the Department of Education and CommBank; and, children, families and staff from KU Ashmont.The mural was also adapted and featured on polo shirts for the children and staff, and was made possible through a generous $10,000 community grant awarded to KU Marcia Burgess Foundation by the CommBank Staff Foundation to support a self-determined arts-based initiative identified by the Aboriginal community in Ashmont.
Nathan Barker, Head of Community Investment at Commonwealth Bank said the Staff Foundation Community Grant Program “empowers our people to own and support local causes they are passionate about”. “Our vast staff network has diverse areas of interest and the program enables us to play a role in supporting the community across a wide range of issues. We have a long history of employees giving through the program and are proud to continue providing assistance to local charities and community groups,” he added.
One Ashmont parent said the project was amazing, adding that “to see the art on the wall as you walk in and then in the playground on the children’s shirts is so good”.
KU Ashmont Director Eileen Bach said the mural is a point of pride for the service, describing it as both beautiful and symbolic.
“Terrie came to visit the children to teach them about different symbols and images, and their meanings in Aboriginal art. The children and families were invited to draw their own symbols and images, and Terrie used these as inspiration for the mural,” she explained.
“Each aspect of our environment was considered in the design of the mural including the Murrumbidgee River, the Lilly Pilly berries in our yard, the emu and kangaroo tracks for each of our preschool rooms, the community, educators and children, and the trees in our playground.”
“The children wear their shirts with pride and feel connected to KU Ashmont.”
Cherylanne Williams, KU Children’s Services General Manager for Early Childhood Education, thanked the CommBank Staff Foundation for their support of the project, which was part of KU Marcia Burgess Foundation’s broader Community Led Program. The program aims to support locally led initiatives and improve access to culturally appropriate early learning experiences and environments for Aboriginal children and their families in Wagga Wagga.
For more information about KU Ashmont, please see here. Information about the KU Marcia Burgess Foundation can be found here.
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