City of Whittlesea and NBN Co deliver Aboriginal art with a message

Each newsletter, the NCA will highlight a Council program that is making a difference in the community. 

City of Whittlesea, in collaboration with NBN Co, recently

announced a project that celebrates Aboriginal art and community

connectivity while promoting the municipality’s first

Aboriginal Gathering Place.

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The official launch in February unveiled a series of four NBN

node boxes in Mernda, South Morang and Mill Park, featuring

dynamic artwork from four First Nations artists. This unique initiative

involves showcasing stunning artworks on NBN nodes in the

municipality, creating a visual tapestry that intertwines technology

and Indigenous heritage.

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These nodes, which play a crucial role in delivering high-speed internet

to the community, now also include visual representations of the

area’s rich cultural history.

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Each adorned NBN node will feature a QR code to information on the new Aboriginal Gathering Place, which will be constructed on Wurundjeri Country within the Quarry Hills Parkland in South Morang. The Aboriginal Gathering Place

will serve as a hub for cultural activities, services, events and educational programs, creating a space where the

community can come together to learn, share and celebrate First Nations people and culture. Further information can

be found here: Aboriginal Gathering Place - Whittlesea.

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Aboriginal artist Marlene Scerri attended the official NBN Node Art Launch

at Mernda Villages Community Centre. Her award winning ‘Freedom’

tapestry features 35 machine sewn butterflies. Marlene was awarded

Best On Show at the Whittlesea Art Show in 2015 for ‘Freedom’.  “The

dancing lady is as free as the butterflies.” – Marlene Scerri, 2024

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Louise Moore, a Wamba Wamba woman represents landscapes, food

sources and waterways in her painting ‘Food Sources of the Rivers’. She

evokes precious memories of her happy childhood in her paintings and

is now an Elder in her community. “The food sources were everywhere on

land and rivers. This is the life I knew so well.” – Louise Moore, 2024

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Ray Thomas uses airbrush to create 3D elements and realism into his

artwork. ‘Bataluk and the Floating Spheres’ depicts a lizard among 3D

spheres and is acrylic on canvas. “Bataluk is from Gunnai language from Gippsland, meaning lizard” – Ray Thomas, 2024

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Ky-ya Nicholson Ward from Djirringu Art created the digital artwork ‘Protection’. “The artwork represents Wurundjeri culture, healing and protection. Bunjil the Wedge Tailed Eagle, Wurundjeri’s creator spirit, watches over and guides us. The Wurun (Manna Gum) is Wurundjeri’s namesake, they represent healing and connection to country.  The Diamond symbolises resilience and strength along with the circles representing the Birrarung (Yarra River).” – Ky-ya Nicholson Ward, 2024

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The artworks can be found at:

• ‘Food Sources of the Rivers’: across Mernda Village Community Activity Centre in Mernda

• ‘Batatluk and the Floating Spheres’: displayed near the Lakes Primary School on The Great Eastern Way in South Morang

• ‘Freedom’: in Mill Park on Oleander Drive

• ‘Protection’: near the Stables Shopping Centre at the intersection of Betula Ave and Childs Road in Mill Park.

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To find out more about the NBN node artwork project, contact advocacy@whittlesea.vic.gov.au. 

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