Victor Medical Centre is proudly displaying three brand new pieces of Indigenous artwork, created by local artist Amanda Westley.

Last week the Centre had an official unveiling of the paintings, and Amanda presented a Welcome To Country before explaining the inspiration and meaning behind each painting in detail to staff members who gathered for the occasion.

Speaking at the event, Victor Medical Centre Chief Executive Officer, Richard Pierce said he hoped the artwork would brighten up the waiting room and make the Centre more welcoming for Indigenous community members.

“It’s great to be able to have these paintings done by a local artist which represent the local Ngarrindjeri people,” he said.

The three paintings on display are titled Coorong, Raukkan and Ngarrindjeri Ruwi.

Describing each piece, Amanda said they reflected her important connection and family ties to the land.

“These paintings show how I see my country and the colours represent the land around us,” she said.

“I spent a lot of my childhood at the Coorong and one of my favourite memories is learning about my family when my Mum would take me to Camp Coorong.”

Describing her piece Raukkan Amanda discussed her great-grandfather who was a stone mason and helped build the church in 1891, which stands in Raukkan today.

“My family is one of the oldest Aboriginal families here on the South Coast so this land I call home has been a part of my family for a very long time.”

Mr Pierce arranged the purchase of the paintings through the Country SA Primary Health Network’s Welcoming Environment Grant, which aims to contribute to closing the gap in life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians.

With this aim, the grant promotes trust in health services by ensuring they acknowledge and are respectful of cultural factors, are physically accessible and affordable and are partners with local Aboriginal communities.

(article and image courtesy of The TIMES, Victor Harbor, 4 April, 2019)