16/01/2026
We are so grateful to Jenna () who has worked closely with our centre and young people, to bring us Wungurrwil-ngitj (Stronger together) 🩵
Jenna worked with us to depict mental health journeys of young people and their families, and the significance of culture.
This artwork celebrates our beautiful Wadawurrung Country and community, and the deep relationships we hold with the land, water, and sky around us. It reflects the shared space and connection between us all as we come together as one to create strong spirits and minds.
At the heart of the artwork are the symbols for meeting place, a space where we gather to yarn, share stories, and connect. Surrounding these symbols are traditional ‘∩’ shapes, representing people and highlighting the importance of community coming together. The meeting place symbols are at the centre, linked to the other elements by flowing journey lines, symbolising our connection to each other, our land Country, and our community.
Around the outsides of the artwork are the flowing lines symbolising travelling/journey, representing us gathering together on Wadawurrung Country to explore and learn together as one in unity. The cross-hatching throughout the artwork illustrates our connection to the land, and the regeneration as we merge the old with the new.
Animal tracks weave through the artwork, symbolizing our shared journey on Country, where we help one another along the way. They also represent our deep connection to our native Australian animals. The arrows signify the continuity of community - reminding us that we must care for each other and the land so that both can continue to provide and nurture us.
The boomerang symbol represents our deep connection to community, reminding us that what we give to one another will always return. The traditional ‘∩’ shapes signify people on Wadawurrung Country, moving along tracks that weave across the land, sharing their stories, history, and culture. The footprints represent our collective journey, walking together on Country, supporting each other along the way. The two sets of footprints side by side tell the story of our shared journey - each of us walking our own path, yet together as one. For in unity, we find strength, respect and support – we are stronger together.
Bundjil, the eagle, is the spirit creator of Wadawurrung Country. Soaring high above the land, Bundjil continues to watch over us, offering his protection and strength since the moment of his creation. The bird (emu) tracks below symbolise the many beautiful birds that grace our Wadawurrung Dja (Country). In the top right-hand corner are the symbol for ‘stars’, a representation of our Elders and their spirits who live in the sky looking down on us providing guidance, wisdom and strength.
At the heart of this artwork lies connection, illustrating the many layers we need to live and work in harmony on Country, with both the land and our community. We depend on our land and water Country to provide for us, both physically and spiritually. In return, we take only what we need and give back as much as we can, always striving to leave our Country in a better place than we found it.
This beautiful artwork will be represented in a number of ways at our new headspace Ballarat centre - and we cannot wait to show you!
www.murrupart.com.au ❤️
