COMMUNITY ARTS

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Nth Yunderup is a small and vibrant community situated within the Ramsar-listed Peel-Harvey Estuary and interlinking Murray River eco system. Wilgie Creek features significantly as an important local aspect of that system and unfortunately due to the impact of urban development and years of mismanagement had deteriorated into a series of stagnant and stinking pools.

The Nth Yunderup Community Association together with the Friends of Wilgie Creek and Green Corps played a pivitol role in promoting “Plant a Tree for a Bandicoot” a yearly planting day and important community initiative aimed at raising awareness and highlighting the need for the environmental renewal of Wilgie Creek.  Plant a Tree for a Bandicoot developed and was supported over a number of years, attracting various community and organisational partnerships and provided a family focused activity that resulted in wide community participation.  Through the hard work and commitment of Nth Yunderup community members, Wilgie Creek has returned to an ecologically healthy and sustainable component of the local environment.  In recognition of the voluntary community and governmental contribution the Nth Yunderup Community Association initiated a community based public artwork named “The Wilgie Creek Sculptural Seat”.

The Sculptural Seat project was launched with a community fun day, including a lunchtime barbecue and entertainment.  Throughout the day ongoing free design and tile painting workshops were facilitated and workshop participants were encouraged to explore the environmental and social significance of Wilgie Creek and to personalise a 150mm square ceramic tile (bisque fired) with suitable underglazes.  These tiles were subsequently overglazed, fired and incorporated around the base of the sculptural seat.  Additionally, community member comments were collected in a community journal and utilised to develop the theme and design components for the sculptural seat.

Project community partnerships included:

Government of Western Australia Department of Environment, Alcoa World Alumina Australia, Shire of Murray,  Peel Development Commission, Peel Harvey Catchment Council, Healthways and Work for the Dole.

 The development of community initiated and inspired arts based activity in Western Australia is supported by a number of funding organisations including: