In a celebration of Aboriginal art across the region, Mornington Peninsula Shire has collaborated with NBN Co. and six local Aboriginal groups on a project to wrap sixteen nbn nodes with artwork across the Peninsula.

An innovative outdoor art gallery, the works show us new ways to connect.  From traditional stories celebrating family to the joy of emerging from COVID-19 lockdown, the project has given talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists a new platform to share their creativity. Combined they create a unique gallery trail worth exploring on your next visit to the Mornington Peninsula.

Mayor Councillor Despi O’Connor shared, “The project celebrates our First Peoples’ culture and stories, embodies the creativity evident here on the Mornington Peninsula and stimulates and enriches community and visitors’ ideas and knowledge. These pieces not only provide beauty to our streetscapes, but they also give our First People living on or visiting the Peninsula visibility as they see their culture proudly on display.”

Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation expressed; “Bunurong people are excited and proud to share their stories and connection for this project on their traditional lands. There is a diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and stories on the Peninsula and many have been included in this project.”

Contributing artist, Lionel Lauch of Living Culture explains the meaning behind his work Grandfather Sun installed in a Mornington site.  “It is about healing and positive energy from the rays touching us like a hug…. My earth paintings educate people about Aboriginal culture and invite people to open their eyes and see what culture is there, all around us.”

Each work offers a QR code, directing viewers to more information about the individual work, the artist, and the local organisations.

The artworks can be found at the following locations:

• Liwik Biik (Ancestors Country) by Cassie Leatham: 3000 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Balnarring VIC 3926
• The Gathering by Kaylen Pappin: Cnr Mornington-Flinders Rd & Arthurs Seat Rd, Red Hill VIC 3937 (outside Red Hill Consolidated School)
• Bush Potato Vine by Glenn Shaw: Norman St, Flinders VIC 3929 (outside Flinders Civic Hall)
• Plenty of Fish in the Sea by Maddison Thomson, Cnr Carmichael St and Point Nepean Rd, Tootgarook VIC 3941
• Grandfather Sun by Lionel Lauch: 87 Barkly St, Mornington VIC 3931
• Snake Dreaming by Marice Henare, 3373 Point Nepean Rd, Sorrento VIC 3943
• Community by Lisa Waup, 39 Boneo Rd, Rosebud VIC 3939
• Turtle (Gurlil) by Glenn Shaw, 575 Frankston-Flinders Road, Tyabb VIC 3913 (near entrance to Padua College)
• Cultural Fingerprint by Glenn Shaw, Cnr Station St & Edward St, Somerville VIC 3912
• Seasons by Linda Lovett, 1081 Frankston-Flinders Rd, Somerville VIC 3912 (outside Somerville Library),
• Men’s Business by Willum Warrain Men’s Group, 32 Victoria St, Hastings VIC 3915
• Women’s Business by Willum Warrain Women’s Group, 87 Canadian Bay Rd, Mt. Eliza VIC 3930
• Coming Out of Covid by Heather Kennedy, 1 McDowell St, Rosebud VIC 3939
• Waters Dance by Norrell Doak, 4 Carigg St, Dromana VIC 3936
• Saltwater Dreaming by Heather Kennedy, 17 Napier St, Rye VIC 3941
• Happy Day by Bernard Gaskin, Cnr Dundas St and Point Nepean Rd, Rye VIC 3941

To discover more about these artworks see artsandculture.mornpen.vic.gov.au

Pictured: 

• Gunditjmara and Torres Strait Islander artist Lisa Waup from Baluk Arts with her node artwork 'Community' - Image Credit Tanya Fry
• Lionel Lauch and his earth painting, Living Culture.