The Aboriginal story of the Wyong area and Tuggerah Lakes is being told in a huge mural by artist Jodie Freeman at the historic Alison Homestead.
Freeman’s spectacular mural was unveiled on Friday, February 19, and takes pride of place on a wall in the outdoor courtyard at the homestead, which is the home of Wyong District Museum and Historical Society.
The artwork tells the story of Gurria the Rainbow Serpent who was awoken from the belly of the Earth, she came to the surface angrily throwing herself in all directions and moving across the lands carving the deep valleys, the water holes, the rivers, lakes and ocean beds, and pushed the mountains high to the sky.
“We take a journey with meeting places where all the different people are coming together all across the Central Coast as shown with the circular designs, and flowing through the centre, are the three Tuggerah lakes, with accompanying fish throughout,” Freeman said.
“An important part of the Central Coast is shown as the yam plant which represents Wyong, as the name Wyong means yam.
“I wanted to bring back the cultural aspect to the museum, what was lost in the fire of December 2011, so this is one way that we can reconnect Darkinjung and the museum as well,” Freeman said.
“I’m very happy that Uncle Gavi (Kevin Duncan) helped me along with the story.”
Freeman is a proud Gamilaroi woman, originally from Narrabri, who started painting about seven years ago, to follow a family tradition of creative people.
“I discovered in my late 20s that my great grandfather drew, my grandfather drew, my mum was into poetry, and then I started painting, and now my daughter is also painting, so the creativity has flowed through our heritage.
“My artwork is a modern style, combining my Aboriginal heritage with my spiritual beliefs, and each piece tells a story and has a heartfelt meaning behind it,” she said.
Some of Freeman’s achievements include exhibitions in local galleries on the Central Coast, provided artwork for Hunter New England Health, and worked with groups of children through the Sean Lonergan School’s Project.
The mural at Alison Homestead was helped along with funding from Bendigo Bank in Wyong, represented by Mark Cooper and Tia Duncan, at the unveiling.
For seven years, Wyong MP, David Harris, has also been Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and he said it was an incredible honour to be a part of, and learning about, the world’s oldest continuous culture.
“I think that as a country, we should be very proud of that and we should celebrate that and seeing things like this mural is part of that celebration of culture,” he said.
“The art and the culture that surrounds this area is just incredible, most people that live here don’t know about it and it’s so important to learn about.
“We thank Jodie for sharing her work with us and the important thing about Aboriginal art is that it always tells a story, and as well as appreciating the visual look, we must also learn about the story, because the story telling is so important.
“In Aboriginal culture it is all about the place and this art talks about the lakes, the mountains and the community and it’s all about our place.”
Harris also thanked all the volunteers who work at and run the museum, saying it was such an important place for our local area and community.
Sue Murray