By Jena Carr
The Geelong Police Station has a new mural by Aboriginal artists to help make the station welcoming for everyone.
The mural was created by Ammie Howell and her oldest daughter Ngara McEwen and unveiled following a smoking ceremony on Tuesday, February 27.
Ms Howell said she was “really honoured” to work on the mural and that the project was part of their cultural learnings.
“It’s building relationships, and it needs to be more than just that visual cue. It needs have that underlying understanding of our culture and then things will start happening,” she said.
“To work together, sit, paint and have conversation around the table from mother to daughter, that time and space just comes into the story of this artwork.”
Ms McEwen said she was glad to have the opportunity to collaborate with her mum and looked forward to seeing the painting help welcome people into the station.
“It’s small steps at a time and I think this is definitely one of the bigger steps,” she said.
“I’m just honoured to work with my mum on this painting and to be in the police station. It’s good to see and feel that it is welcoming for everyone.”
Acting Superintendent Peter Nichols said the mural was a “good step forward” for the station.
“I hope it translates to creating a safe space in the community, and that people can recognise it as a safe space if they ever need to come to the police station,” he said.
