Rainbow Serpent mural celebrates the Point Cook community Pop Up Park.

Stockland and CoLocal, a not-for-profit group designed to connect community and local organisations, have officially unveiled a 50-metre-long road mural, The Point Cook Rainbow Serpent, at Point Cook Pop Up Park as part of National Reconciliation Week.

State Member for Point Cook, Mathew Hilakari MP; Wyndham City Mayor, Councillor Susan McIntyre; representatives from the Bunurong Land Council; and artists Fiona Clarke and Kenneth McKean joined the National Reconciliation Week event at Stockland Point Cook, 22 kilometres southwest of Melbourne’s CBD. 

The mural, which has been a collaborative effort with the local community and the artists painting the artwork across nearly 400 hours, features two key artistic pieces – the Rainbow Serpent weaving through the Point Cook Pop Up Park and a colourful pedestrian crossing connecting people to a place of gathering. 

Stockland General Manager – Placemaking for Commercial Property, Sarah Neilsen said the mural builds on the success of the Point Cook Pop Up Park, creating a vibrant and engaging space for the community to come together and enjoy. 

“We look for opportunities at our centres to create public art with the community that’s centred on storytelling, connection to place, education, and respect.

“We thank our partner CoLocal, artists Fiona and Kenneth, and the team of community artists who came together to complete this beautiful artwork giving us an opportunity to embrace the varied and rich cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities during National Reconciliation Week,” said Ms Neilsen.

The event welcomed the Bunurong Land Council who hosted a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony before officially launching the mural with the artists. There were also kids craft workshops, storytelling sessions, dance performances, and didgeridoo performances at the event.

State Member for Point Cook, Mathew Hilakari MP said partnerships build great community spaces. 

“CoLocal, Stockland, Wyndham City Council, and the State Government have all worked hand in hand to create a welcoming space for the Point Cook community – which will be made all the better through the work of artists Fiona Clarke and Kenneth McKean.”

CoLocal Founder, Sara Mitchell said it was an honour and privilege to take the first steps towards connecting to the roots of the community. 

“It has been a joy working with Fiona and Ken, listening to stories, and learning about Aboriginal history and culture through the local Bunurong Boon Wurrung and other First Nations people in our local area. It’s important to build relationships that help us get to know our neighbours a little better,” said Ms Mitchell.

“We are very grateful for the support of the Victorian Government, Stockland, Wyndham City Council, and our local community members. Their encouragement and support along the way has made this possible.” 

Wyndham City Mayor, Councillor Susan McIntyre said the Point Cook Pop Up Park is enhanced with the Rainbow Serpent mural.
 
“Wyndham City welcomes the addition of the mural which pays tribute to our First Nations people and brings to life the space, encouraging residents to connect and enjoy the outdoors,” said Cr McIntyre.
 
Artists Fiona Clarke and Kenneth McKean said they were excited to have been selected for the mural project at Point Cook Pop Up Park.

“We wanted to create an artwork where the local community could come and enjoy a bright, colourful park and learn about First Nations culture, along with the local environment and wildlife,” said Ms Clarke and Mr McKean. 

“We chose the theme of the Rainbow Serpent for its strong connection to the Aboriginal community. The many colours we used represent the diversity of the Point Cook community and you’ll see local wildlife like the Blue Wren, Orange-bellied Parrot, and New Holland Honeyeater in the artwork, too.

“Thank you to CoLocal, Stockland, Bunurong Land Council, the Victorian Government, Wyndham City Council, and all the volunteers who helped to make this happen,” added Ms Clarke and Mr McKean. 

For more information on Stockland Point Cook, visit the website. 

About Point Cook Pop Up Park 

• Point Cook Pop Up Park is a community-led initiative by CoLocal and supported by Stockland and Wyndham City Council. 
• The park’s revitalisation has been made possible by $200,000 of funding from the Victorian Government’s State Government Living Local Suburban Revitalisation Fund, Stockland’s contribution of $200,000, and $30,000 from Wyndham City Council.
• The activations and events held at Point Cook Pop Up Park have contributed to achieving wider placemaking goals, with the park becoming a community hub and helping to better unify the different sections of Stockland Point Cook. 

About the artists, Fiona Clarke and Kenneth McKean 

• Fiona Clarke was born in Warrnambool, in southwest Victoria, and is a Kirrae Whurrong Aboriginal woman. Kenneth has been an artist for more than 34 years and is Fiona’s husband. 
  
  
• Fiona depicts her Aboriginal culture through the visual arts, including tapestry, painting, public art, and children’s literature. 
  
  
• In 2016, her design “Walkabout Wickets” was chosen by Cricket Australia for uniforms to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the first Aboriginal XI cricket team to play at the MCG.

About Stockland’s Reconciliation Action Plan 

• Stockland is supportive of the principles of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, and the referendum process. We believe that a Voice to Parliament is an important step towards reconciliation with Australia’s first peoples. 
  
  
• Stockland’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2020 to 2022 aims to make a valuable contribution to our communities and our country by helping shape thriving communities that value, respect, and celebrate Australia’s First Peoples. 
  
  
• Stockland is currently partnering with Reconciliation Australia to develop its Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan which will be released later this year. 
  
  
• Our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan will focus on initiatives and programs in the areas of wellbeing, education, and community connection, allowing us to create a deeper understanding and better embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s heritage and their role as the original custodians of Australia.