Jolimont Primary students get creative for public mural at local Water Corporation site

Water Corporation's Education team member Hannah Daga (left) with Jolimont Primary School teacher and students

Jolimont Primary School’s Year four and five students have had the unique opportunity to get creative with Mural Media and Perth artist Luke O’Donohue bringing life through art to Water Corporation’s Subiaco Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF), Shenton Park.

Together the artist and Water Corporation’s Education team member Hannah Daga led an art and waterwise workshop with the class as part of Water Corporation’s Splash of Colour program.

The workshop began by highlighting the journey water takes to be treated and safely delivered to residents, which teacher Heidi Gregson said was an immersive experience for her students.

“The kids absolutely loved the opportunity to investigate water conservation and management through the hands-on examination activities,” Ms Gregson said.

“Mini microscopes and water samples made them feel like budding scientists and gave them a taste of a career in water supply and conservation.”

Miss Daga said the education aspect of the program is instrumental in empowering the next generation to adopt waterwise behaviours and combat climate change.

“We engage with students to deliver hands-on workshops focusing on Perth’s water sources and how students can be waterwise. This helps them understand what Water Corporation is doing to protect their water supply, and also what roles they can play,” Miss Daga said.

Following the education component, Mr O’Donohue tasked the students with paper collage activities featuring local flora and fauna species native to the Shenton Park bushland bordering the WRRF.

“The kids got their creativity brewing and threw themselves into sketching, cutting and colour composition under the creative guidance of a pro,” Ms Gregson said.

The students’ mural compositions of Carnaby cockatoos, gumtree branches and kangaroo paw inspired the final public artwork.

Water Corporation Customer and Community Manager Karen Willis said the project was a great example of how a community partnership could improve infrastructure by making it a visual delight.

“Subiaco is one of the largest wastewater facilities in WA, servicing 258,000 people across Perth, Scarborough, Fremantle and the Perth CBD, so it was great for the local students to discover what an important role it plays as they made it look beautiful,” Ms Willis said.

For more on Water Corporation’s school education program, visit: watercorporation.com.au/Education.

Water Corporation's Education team member Hannah Daga (left) with Jolimont Primary School teacher and students