Indigenous Artwork elevates expansive water tanks
An Indigenous artist’s vision of Maura/Barkindji people fishing and living along the banks of the Murray River has been brought to life on Namatjira’s new $3 million raw water tanks to celebrate the region’s cultural connection to land and water.
The murals can be seen clearly from the Silver City Highway giving motorists something to look forward to as they’re travelling past the Far Western border town.
The artworks are a celebration of Maura/Barkindji’s spiritual relationship with water in all its forms whether it is the creation of stories, the use of water as a resource or their knowledge of sharing water.
The two new 255 kilolitre water tanks were completed in September 2022 to improve raw water reliability for the community, replacing a water tower that was built in 1984 which has now been demolished because it had reached the end of its design life.
The new infrastructure will serve the region for at least 30 years delivering up to 173kL of raw water every day for things like gardening and firefighting taking the pressure off the town potable water supply.
The tanks have increased storage capacity by 18 per cent and can be monitored and managed remotely reducing any disruptions to the system.
The project has also delivered 5 new pumps including two that can support higher flow rates of up to 12 litres per second during fires and other emergencies.
The artwork was designed by talented Maura/Barkindji artist John Mitchell who has a deep understanding of the importance of water to First Nations communities.
The artwork was then adjusted to fit the size of the tanks by Zest Events International before being brought to life by John Mitchell, Lorraine Mitchell, and award-winning Mildura born artist Jenny McCracken.
Another mural has also been added to the pump station featuring local sporting heroes including AFL players Derek Eggmolesse-Smith and James Lawson and Jiu Jitsu world champion Shantelle Thompson.
In addition, local artists Lorraine Mitchell, Sharon Kirby, John Mitchell and Zest Events International Andi Mether teamed up with students from Dareton, Gol Gol and Wentworth Public Schools and Coomealla High School students to paint a colourful mural at the entrance to the community.
The project was funded by the $200 million Aboriginal Communities Water and Sewerage Program which was established in 2008 to improve water supply and sewerage services for 63 eligible Aboriginal Communities across NSW.
