A NEW Koori art installation was unveiled at Hamilton’s South West TAFE campus on Thursday, with the feature bringing an extra bit of colour to the outside of the building.

The project was in response to South West TAFE’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and aimed to further enhance their community relationships.

After being put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, all involved in the project were proud to see the installation displayed.

 The RAP art installation was created by local women who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander who worked alongside South West TAFE Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) students in Intergenerational ‘Paint n Yarn’ workshops.

The workshops brought different groups together to create art and exchange views about local and family history, and ‘her-story’.

A spokesperson from South West TAFE said the art installation was the “brain child” of their former koori liaison officer, Aunty Denise Lovett, who pointed out that the Hamilton campus was blessed by being surrounded in magnificent native flora and initiated the first steps in connecting with community.

South West TAFE koori student support officer, Tanya Logan, connected with community and drove the project to its completion, with involvement from the Windamara Ladies Art Group and some of the VCAL students in Hamilton.

“As with the process of reconciliation, this project is ongoing, with more vibrant panels yet to be added,” the South West TAFE spokesperson said.

South West TAFE extends their thanks to all involved in the project, including Aunty Margaret Ferguson, Aunty Claudette Lovett, Aunty Mary Boney, Kristie Stockton, Alana Williams, Stacey Charles, and Donna Hines.