THE 39th mural along Maryborough’s award-winning mural trail is set to be blessed and opened during NAIDOC Week.
The ‘Guardians of the Land’ mural was designed by Butchulla Elder Aunty Barbara Trevakis and painted by local artist Aunty Karen Hall.
Maryborough Mural Project co-founders Elizabeth Lowrie and Deborah Hannam are excited about the latest addition to the trail.
“The mural’s theme, which encourages all cultures of our nation to protect and guard our land is very fitting for this year’s NAIDOC Week theme – Heal Country, Heal our Nation,” said Elizabeth.
“It encourages all of us to protect our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration and destruction,” she said.
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The mural will be blessed and opened at St Mary’s Catholic Church on Friday, July 9 at 4pm.
“We encourage the Fraser Coast community to join us in celebration of this community healing event at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Adelaide Street,” said Deborah.
Aunty Karen said ‘healing country’ calls for stronger recognition, protection and maintenance of Butchulla culture and its heritage, “thereby encouraging resolution of the many outstanding injustices that have impacted Indigenous communities.”
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Aunty Barbara hoped people will embrace Butchulla cultural knowledge and understanding of country as part the nation’s heritage.
“We hope all will respect our values, just as we respect those of all Australians,” she continued.
The mural is a joint project between the Maryborough Mural Project and St Mary’s Parish.
St Mary’s Parish is funding the project through a Fraser Coast Regional Council Grant. The Maryborough Mural Project has arranged in kind support for other items such as paint, scaffolding, and plaque printing, among other things.
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Meanwhile, the Maryborough Mural Trail received national recognition earlier this year when it was awarded silver at the 2020 Australian Street Art Awards.
Fraser Coast locals and visitors are being urged to walk the trail and talk it up among their friends, guests and on social media so more people are drawn to the Heritage City.
The trail was designed to attract people to the city centre, thereby stimulating the local economy, and to help create a sense of pride within the community.
All the murals tell stories linked to the city and region.
For more information on the Maryborough Mural Trail, click here.