A WARRNAMBOOL icon adorns a new mural at the Stanley Street playground in South Warrnambool.
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The seven metre mural was unveiled on Thursday and was designed and created by Kirrae Whurrong artists Fiona Clarke and Patricia McKean who collaborated with children at the South Warrnambool Kindergarten and with indigenous preschool educator Bronwyn Ferguson.
It features three whales.
The mural is called Ngeerrang and Ngart (Mothers and Daughters) and was unveiled by Warrnambool City Council mayor Robert Anderson.
The unveiling included a smoking ceremony by Gunditjmara Woman, Adeline McDonald.
Fiona Clarke said it was important the children enjoyed the process of helping create the mural.
“We wanted it to relate as a mother-daughter/children art work – and we wanted the children to have a good time,” she said.
“The whale speaks of Warrnambool and is also a universal symbol.
“My father (the late Banjo Clarke) before he passed away said, ‘children will always colour your world’.”
Cr Anderson said the mural represented the imaginations of children who were inspired by their learning of indigenous culture through storytelling.
“Children of all cultures are depicted flying along with a whale in harmony with each other and with nature,” he said.
“It’s a beautiful piece of work and a wonderful addition to the public art we have in Warrnambool.”