A heartfelt and meaningful piece of student artwork will now welcome new Australians at citizenship ceremonies in the City of Gosnells.
This is all thanks to a powerful collaboration between Communicare Academy and the local council.
The artwork, created by Communicare Academy students, depicts a unified, multicultural world, with Australia as the focal point, surrounded by hands of different colours and cultures holding up the Earth.
The message behind the piece is simple yet profound… we all belong.
“The inspiration behind the artwork was to create a sense of unity and show that we all live in this world together and it belongs to all of us,” said Cassandra White-Dunn, the art teacher who led the project.
“By featuring people from all cultures and hands supporting the planet, we wanted to cement the idea that everyone deserves to live as one, no matter where they come from.”
Ms White-Dunn said the artwork was a voluntary project taken on by students eager to contribute to something meaningful.
“Once they heard the purpose behind it, they jumped at the chance,” she added. “Projects like this help build students’ sense of community through creativity, and they encourage empathy and inclusiveness,” she said.
The finished artwork will be displayed during citizenship ceremonies held by the City of Gosnells, offering a warm and symbolic welcome to new Australians.
Mayor Terresa Lynes praised the students’ efforts.
“It’s always wonderful to see how students at Communicare Academy work together to share positive messages with the community in such a bright and engaging way,” she said.
Mayor Lynes said the piece would become a regular fixture at the city’s official ceremonies, helping to create a culturally rich and welcoming environment.
“Public art is a powerful tool for expressing local identity,” she added.
“This artwork, in particular, helps formally welcome residents becoming Australian citizens—an important milestone in many people’s lives.”
So far this financial year, more than 1500 people have become Australian citizens in the City of Gosnells.
The city’s cultural strategy includes encouraging more schools to participate in community events, including performances and creative projects.
“Art like this nurtures creativity, builds community pride and fosters an inclusive and lively cultural environment,” Mayor Lynes said.
For the students and their teacher, this opportunity goes far beyond paint and paper.
Ms White-Dunn said, “As a teacher, this project enriched my teaching by giving it real purpose. It’s a great feeling knowing our students are contributing to something bigger than themselves, something that helps people feel seen and welcomed.”
