The development of a an Indigenous Bush Tucker Garden, Language and Learning circle that makes strong connections to the land and animals of the Gurang, Gurang and Taribelang people through art, bush tucker plants, language exploration and education has been a long term project of Forestview Community Kindergarten. The first round of notes was developed in 2016 with the development of a rough concept plan that was gladly received by and created much excitement amongst the parent committee, children educators and families at this time.
Forestview has since worked closely with a local builder/landscaping designer and the Gidarjil Development Corporation to create a project that could be completed in four stages. The stage approach enables this large scale project to be funded more successfully by our not for profit association and for the playground to be accessible and utilised by all children and families after the completion of each phase lessening disruption to the educational program and environment.
The 2017 Forestview Management Committee committed finances and commenced construction of stage one of the project – $6474.00 at the end of 2017 (after many hours of fundraising). This stage included increasing the size of the construction area for the total project, installing a retaining wall and totem poles and a wooden deck around an existing large shade tree.
This year we were successful in receiving a grant from the Queensland Government and the Bundaberg Regional Council via the Regional Arts Development Fund to include significant artwork into the garden area that would capture elements of local indigenous culture, stories and language and to share the key messages that we are a community of learners and this is culturally welcoming space where all members of our community can feel a sense of being, belonging and becoming. So the challenge was to prepare the site a little bit further and then coordinate many years of ideas and stakeholder’s voices for the artworks. After many hours of discussions and emails over images and draft sketches a concept plan for the big art mural, totem poles and rainbow serpent emerged.
The shed wall was lined ready for the amazing artwork to commence.
End of October 2019 – the artwork commenced.
AND SLOWLY EMERGED BIT BY BIT…..
…..AND…..in November 2019 all Forestview Kindergarten children and educators were able to add their handprints to the design so that they will be a part of this amazing artwork and creation forever.
Biggest of thanks goes to
- The artists Brandon and Trey Butler for completing this amazing artwork
- Nicole Bonney (Arts Development Officer) from Gidarjil Development Cooperation who helped us coordinate the project with the artists
- The 2019 parent committee who contributed funds towards the project ,and
- The Queensland Government and Bundaberg Regional Council who contributed $2700 towards costings via the Regional Arts Development Fund grant.
We are so thrilled with the design and how the artist have captured key elements of our Kindy with the inclusion of the animals on the totem poles that are important to our service and children, the amazing Rainbow Serpent which is part of a traditional indigenous story we often share with the children, the aboriginal symbols which we regularly explore with the children and the main mural which portrays the message of our Kindergarten being a community of learners and that we (children, educators and families) grow and learn together.
Forestview Educators and Children thank everyone involved and we look forward to the remaining stages of this indigenous garden area being completed in the near future.
The artwork included in this Indigenous Garden was proudly completed by Brandon and Trey Butler
MORE ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Brandon Butler
Born 1990 raised and lives in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, Australia
Cultural Background: Gooreng Gooreng/ Gurang/ Gangalu-Iman / Gungarri/ Juru 1st Nation Australian and South-Sea Islander ( Tanna Island/ Motto Lava The Banks Gauwa Island) Vanuatu
Brandon a local national and international artist.
Mediums: Carving emu eggs, painting, printmaking.
Trey Butler
Born 1995 raised in Rockhampton, Central Queensland, Australia
Cultural Background: Gooreng Gooreng/ Gurang/ Gangalu-Iman / Gungarri/ Juru 1st Nation Australian and South-Sea Islander ( Tanna Island/ Motto Lava The Banks Gauwa Island) Vanuatu.
Performs: Traditional Dancing, Singing ( songman)
Trey a local, national and International Artist
Medium: Painting, carving
The artwork for this project was proudly funded by the Queensland Government and the Bundaberg Regional Council through the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) in partnership with the 2019 Forestview Kindergarten Parent Committee.
The Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Bundaberg Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.
