The making of a community mural (Story Book) - North Yarra ...

Mandy Nicholson
When I was approached to be involved in this community mural project I jumped at the chance as
I have completed similar projects with school children and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
This project was different as it involved a very diverse group of people from many backgrounds.
All from different parts of the world, all bringing their own unique touch to the project by sharing
stories, images and beliefs with me during the workshops. On a personal level I have gained much
knowledge from them, insights about their communities, where they have come from, and how they
find the Australian way of life. Especially the older people were willing to share their life experiences
from their homelands, living in Australia and particularly Collingwood. It was great to hear that many
had been living in the Collingwood area for numerous years and would never move as they loved it
here. The students were also intriguing, they taught me about their homelands by pointing out animals,
rivers and plants of significance. It allowed me to describe similarities and connections between their
culture and mine, the Wurundjeri of Melbourne. I was particularly struck by the universal significance
that ‘river’ and ‘water’ have in their life sustaining importance – for ceremonial and sustenance
purposes, and the use of rivers as gathering places. Indigenous people, in the past and still today,
meet frequently along important ‘river’ and ‘water’ systems throughout Australia to camp together or
have large family gatherings, something I take part in several times a year.
For me this cross cultural learning showed the link between animals and culture as a universal
phenomenon. I was amazed to see how important birds were to so many people and the role of
animals as ancestors and guardians in the different cultures, and how they compared with Indigenous
Victoria. For instance the Vietnamese participants described their ancestral links to the dragon, just as
the Wurundjeri people of Melbourne see Bunjil, the Eagle as the Creator.
Both Bunjil and Waa the Raven (Bunjil’s helper) are ‘totems’, spiritual identifiers often in the form of an
animal and are important in both ceremonial and daily life. We placed these two totems, Bunjil and
Waa, at the entrance of the health centre as they are a welcoming symbol to visitors.
Traditionally, when visitors were to come onto Wurundjeri land, a series of ceremonies first had to
take place. The main one still practised today is the ‘Smoking Ceremony’ - people being formally
welcomed and acknowledged onto Wurundjeri land. This involves the smoking of green Manna Gum
leaves on the embers of a fire to create smoke. Manna gum leaf is used as it represents the name of
the Wurundjeri people - Wurun = manna gum, and jeri = the grub that lives within the tree. Visitors are
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IN THE FLOW - the making of a community mural