By Abbey Cannan
With the help of 60 students and a talented artist, a local high school has unveiled an incredible Indigenous art piece during Reconciliation Week.
Artist Michele Campbell produced a Wedge tail Eagle art piece for Sunshine Beach State High School, which holds significant meaning for the Undumbi tribal group of the Noosa region.
Indigenous co-ordinator Shanon Hill said the art pays respect to local Elder Tais Muckan and his family in acknowledgment to their country we stand upon.
“The National Reconciliation Week 2020 theme ‘In this together’ reinforces that we all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part, we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures,“ Ms Hill said.
“Representing power, the Wedge tail Eagle can rise over the world, seeing and understanding all. Possessing keen eyesight, they can have a higher perspective on things and can indicate a talent for problem solving. This totem reinforces the link between the spiritual words, creation time and the living world.“
She said the totem pictured was flying over the Noosa community, with the Noosa National Park and headlands, main beach, the Noosa River and North Shore.
“Everyone is connected to this art piece in some way or another, also protected by our Wedged Tail Eagle,“ Ms Hill said.
“Throughout Term 3, all indigenous students of this school were invited take part in the creation of the Wedge tail Eagle artwork. This project was designed to embrace the Reconciliation Week theme ‘In This Together’ through its collaborative construction. The art is a collection of tiles painted by the students that, when brought together, create the totem.
“The students were all encouraged to bring along a friend and together they worked to create this masterpiece. “Through the enthusiastic teamwork of the students, we celebrate the diversity of the school and the importance of our bonds to each other and the land.“
Ms Hill said the art piece will be on display for the school to value and be proud of as a school that accepts difference.
