Bunbury mural builds attachment to country and culture

The South West Aboriginal Medical Service (SWAMS) Youth Committee worked collaboratively with local indigenous artist Glen Garlett to deliver an Art Mural project at Bunbury PCYC to represent the Noongar Youth in the South West Region.

The project took five days during Mental Health Week 2021 and aimed to engage young people in the local community whilst increasing support and resilience of the wider Bunbury community.

In partnership with Bunbury PCYC who have recently undergone a brand refresh to reflect the broad range of contemporary sports and programs on offer for young people in the region, it was the perfect timing to have a new mural which belonged to the community – not just the Centre. The location on the west wall facing Parade Road is just perfect.

The Mural really showcases what can be achieved when people work together. Glen and the SWAMS Youth Committee put their ideas together and came up with six themes that connect many of us together and help to increase our sense of belonging.

It's with significant support and partnership from SWAMS, the City of Bunbury’s Youth Advisory Council plus PCYC’s safeSPACE™ program (supported by the Commonwealth Government) that this project could be delivered. We thank everyone who came down to support each other and champion Bunbury’s young people.

Bunbury Centre Manager, Justine Feather said, “Showcasing this mural is significant to our Noongar youth, as it is a way of building attachment to country and culture.”

The SWAMS Youth Committee was established for Noongar Youth to bring a unique perspective on how to best tackle mental health challenges. The group seek to find opportunities to promote good mental health by contributing their creativity, culture, and energy.