This week the dedicated work of a group of local First Nation women saw the official unveiling of a series of murals at the Muswellbrook Railway Station.
For the past 12 months Wanaruah (Wonnarua) women have attended the Muswellbrook Railway Station to paint the mural in the restored parcels office of the station as part of their story telling and learning of art.
The artworks have been reproduced onto steel sheets including the stories and will be hung prominently at the station. The original paintings will be retained by the Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council.
The paintings represent;
- "A time when our native animals and water sources were plentiful and our ancestors walked with us. This painting is for our children and grandchildren, our future leaders"
- "Our people travelling from the Scone, Merriwa, Werris Creek, Quirindi, Narrabri, Moree & Tamworth areas to work on the railway in Muswellbrook. The animals drink from the water holes. Our ancestors guide them from the Southern Cross known as Taraan-doo, the place of the white gum tree, the painters are called Mooji, the white cockatoos sits in the sky"
- "Our Aboriginal men work beside men from different cultures to build the railway. The tents near the Kyuga Bridge is where workers were accommodated. The women and children fish and swim across the river. The seven sisters take refuge in the sky and continues to be pursued by Wati Nyiri or Yurlu."
- "Represents continuing the journey to reconciliation and closing the gap.
NSW TrainLink funded and supplied the majority of the materials, with some support with materials from Mitre 10 Muswellbrook.
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
