A mural depicting young people from diverse backgrounds has been finished just in time for a special unveiling as part of last week’s Refugee Week celebrations.
The colourful five metre long artwork, which was designed by artist Gabby Loo, was first started back in March as part of headspace Armadale’s Harmony Week activities.
The unveiling of the artwork last Friday was part of the organisation’s Refugee Week celebrations, which offered visitors a chance to try an array of cultural cuisines and share their stories about their journey to Australia.
Youth engagement worker Michelle Ng said the event was a small way for headspace Armadale to raise awareness and recognise people of refugee backgrounds and their immense courage and resilience.
“Almost 40 per cent of residents in Armadale were born outside of Australia according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics census in 2016,” she said.
“The mural is an opportunity to bring together the community to recognise all the wonderful cultures, traditions, languages and cuisines that a multicultural Australia brings.”
Ms Ng said the organisation had originally planned for the mural to be placed at several different places within the City of Armadale but, due to its size, that plan would no longer be possible.
Instead the mural will be reprinted onto smaller canvases and will be utilised during community outreach events.
Photographs – Aaron Van Rongen.
