By Jenel Hunt
A brightly coloured mural, painted to make the Headspace office in Warwick more welcoming, was officially opened at a ribbon-and-cake ceremony as part of National Reconciliation Week on Wednesday last week (31 May).
As well as the official cutting of a lime green ribbon and the cutting of a cake by Githabul Elder Delphine Charles, another celebratory touch was a scattering of lime balloons, chosen to express a major colour in the artwork.
The artwork is the official art of headspace Warwick and was created some years ago by indigenous artist Riki Salam (from We Are 27 Creative) to reflect the headspace story of mind, body, spirit, culture, country.
Headspace Warwick manager Alison Somerset welcomed 35 people to the artwork’s official opening.
“Headspace and headspace Warwick recognise how history has impacted our First Nations peoples,” she said.
“National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.”
She said the theme for National Reconciliation Week 2023 was to “Be a Voice for Generations”, urging all Australians to use their power, their words and their actions to create a better, more just Australia for all.
“Headspace Warwick, working in consultation with our First Nations community members and with our First Nations Youth Reference Group members, recognised the presentation of the new Headspace centre was very clinical. As a sign of respect and acknowledgement we wanted to bring culture into the centre in a safe and respectful way for our many First Nations clients.”
Alison gave a special thanks to Delphine Charles, Githabul Elder and consortium partner to headspace Warwick for her contributions, guidance and collaborations.
The reproduction was created from the official artwork of headspace Warwick and local community members as well as the headspace Youth Reference Group, had a hand in its creation. Overseeing the project was Jade Gilchrist, who works at headspace but is also an artist in her own right and who hand-painted much of the detail in the painting.
