Honouring Koorie culture at school
Wallaroo Primary School is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment that celebrates and honours our First Nations peoples. With the support of Dulux, it has created an Indigenous inclusive outdoor learning space for its students.
Wallaroo Primary School in Hastings is recognising the importance of celebrating culture and acknowledging the connection of its First Nations students to the land and community with the establishment of an Indigenous inclusive outdoor learning space.
Proudly supported by Dulux with a paint donation through our community program, the Victorian school features an Indigenous mural and totem poles to represent Koorie heritage.
“We wanted to create a space where students could come together and learn about culture and feel connected to their culture. We really want to help foster that, connection to the land, and community.
“The reaction to the space from the parents and student has been overwhelmingly positive. They love the use of the space before and after school as a meeting point for each other to catch up and tell stories.
“We're super proud of the space we've created and the connection it has provided to the culture and the long-lasting effect it'll have on our community.”
Keiren Walter, Wallaroo Primary School principal.
Connection to land and community at Wallaroo
We acknowledge and show our respect to the Traditional Custodians of the land of the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin nation where we filmed this story.
Interpreting the Wallaroo artworks
The artworks were a collaboration between the school and artists Aunty Marg, a local Elder, and Diane Aiello, a school parent and grandparent.
Their expertise and cultural knowledge ensured the artworks were authentic and had a deep connection to the local Koorie community.
The artworks portray the significance of community, environment, animals and culture.
The mural, a backdrop to the Yarning Circle, depicts the waters of Western Port, land and marshlands of the surrounding area, and the tree of life for stability.
The ants on the mural and totem poles represent the community and working together, turtles for protection, crows as the protector of children, lizards for the Dreaming, footprints leading to the ceremonial area, fish to glide through life freely, and a snake - the Rainbow Serpent - to signify rebirth and renewal.
The project also featured an Indigenous garden with native plants and a Yarning Circle, where students come together to share stories and ideas about culture.
National NAIDOC Week 2024
Respect and recognition
Dulux is proud to honour and acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land where we live and work. We recognise their continued connection to the land, water and community and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.
We've made a commitment to creating a positive impact for communities through paint donations by transforming the spaces where they come together.
Dulux Paints donated
Dulux Weathershield® Low Sheen paint has been specially designed to provide a tough, hard-wearing finish that protects from all weather conditions. Weathershield® Low Sheen is self-priming on most surfaces, and helps resist mould, dirt and stains.
Dulux 1Step® Prep Water Based Primer, Sealer & Undercoat is your first step toward a superior long-lasting paint finish. With mould resistance and stain blocking of tannin and flash rust, 1Step® Prep ensures your paint shines now and into the future.
Dulux PRECISION® All Metal Primer has excellent adhesion and is formulated with anti-corrosive pigments to inhibit rust and corrosion for the protection of metal surfaces such as galvanised iron, ZINCALUME®, wrought iron, steel, aluminium, copper, brass and stainless steel.