Waugal and banksia murals shine on refreshed water assets

Water Minister Simone McGurk with Thornlie MLA Chris Tallentire, artist Nerolie Bynder, and students from the Waalitj Foundation's Deadly Sista Girlz Program.

• Pump stations in Gosnells and Armadale brightened by Water Corporation's Splash of Colour program
• Gosnells' artwork outcome of a partnership between The Waalitj Foundation and Water Corporation
• Armadale's banksia mural painted with help from Dale Christian School students
• More than 70 Water Corporation assets transformed since 2017

Vibrant murals on water assets in Gosnells and Armadale were unveiled today by Water Minister Simone McGurk, who also celebrated the successful partnerships between Water Corporation, local artists and school groups.

The Gosnells mural, brightening the pump station in Thornlie, was painted by Badimia-Noongar-Yamatji artist Nerolie Bynder. It portrays the Noongar spirit Waugal, which is recognised by Noongar people for creating and maintaining fresh water sources around Perth.  

The colourful and bold depiction of the Waugal was the result of an art workshop, led by Ms Bynder, with girls from Water Corporation's community partnership, The Waalitj Foundation's Deadly Sista Girlz program. The Waugal's body is filled with the Deadly Sista Girlz student's designs and is surrounded by local dreamtime stories. 

The River Ranger students at Dale Christian School worked with the Armadale Society of Artists (ASA) to make over the Armadale pump station. 

The students perfected a selection of local flora and fauna during their art workshop, including a red-tailed black cockatoo, a kangaroo and the banksia flower. The 11 ASA artists incorporated flowing water in each mural, highlighting the crucial role it plays to ensure our environment survives and thrives. 

The State Government, through Water Corporation, has supported Splash of Colour since 2017. In this time, more than 70 water and wastewater assets across Western Australia have been refreshed by eye-catching murals that reflect water's role in our everyday lives.  

View other Splash of Colour projects by following #splashofcolourWA on social media. 

Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:

"Through the Splash of Colour program, we've worked with local community groups to transform more than 70 water assets across Western Australia into something they can be proud of, adding real value to our streets and suburbs. 

"Each project weaves in a local water story, which serves to remind us how integral water is to so many aspects of our lives.

"By involving local school students, we're able to teach children where their water comes from and instil waterwise behaviours at an early age, that will hopefully last a lifetime."

Comments attributed to Thornlie MLA Chris Tallentire:

"Water Corporation's pump station on Hume Road is in a prime location overlooking the playing fields of Walter Padbury Park, making it an ideal building for Splash of Colour.

"Nerolie has done a brilliant job involving the Deadly Sister Girlz program and Southern River College students in the mural's design, and the result is spectacular.

"While the old brick pump station previously faded into the background, the new mural has given it a new lease on life and will be cherished by the community for years to come."

Comments attributed to Armadale MLA Dr Tony Buti:

"This is a fantastic community mural that captures the vivid imagination of local school children and their families along with the amazing artistic creativity of local artists.

"Hundreds of local children from Dale Christian School walk by this Water Corporation pump station daily. It's thrilling to think that their ideas and input has been captured and contributed to transforming this facility through the Splash of Colour program.

"The talented painters from Armadale Society of Artists have done a magnificent job incorporating the students design into a visual extravaganza.

"The Armadale community really enjoy local and vibrant art, and I have no doubt the mural will bring many admirers to Forrest Road and enchant passers-by."

Water Minister Simone McGurk with representatives from the Armadale Society of Artists and Dale Christian School students.