Posted June 2023
KU Ashmont Preschool and Family Centre has celebrated the unveiling of an inspiring collaborative mural at the service on Thursday 1 June.
The KU Marcia Burgess Foundation supported the KU Ashmont Arts-Based Project after being awarded a generous $10,000 grant to fund this self-determined project.
The unveiling was 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 created by local Wiradjuri artist Terrie O’Brien who worked closely with the children from KU Ashmont, their families, and the local Aboriginal community to create the mural which was also adapted and featured on polo shirts for the children and staff.
A KU Ashmont parent said:
“This was an amazing project, 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:
“We were so proud to unveil the beautiful and symbolic mural at our service, and to celebrate this special occasion with our close-knit community, especially as ‘connection’ is the theme of the mural.”
“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.”
“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.”
KU Children’s Services General Manager for Early Childhood Education, Cherylanne Williams said:
“Thank you to the CommBank Staff Foundation for supporting this self-determined arts-based project. The initiative was part of KU Marcia Burgess Foundation’s broader Community Led Program, which 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.”
Nathan Barker, Head of Community Investment at Commonwealth Bank said:
“CommBank employees are committed to helping their local communities and the CommBank 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.”
For more information about KU Ashmont visit https://www.ku.com.au/childcare/centres/kuashmont
For more information about KU Marcia Burgess Foundation visit https://www.ku.com.au/childcare/about-us/ku-marcia-burgess-foundation
