Cottontree Pole Project

Cottontree Pole Project

Our journey began last year when our shade sails were removed from our outdoor environment. As sustainability is foremost in the minds of all the educators at Cottontree, we decided to repurpose the old timber shade posts using them as art installations in the front garden.

After Ralph our local handyman had erected the poles, we contacted local GubbiGubbi/KabiKabi artist Arthur Conlon. He agreed to paint our shade poles and also create a mural near the entrance. Over the following few months the children were involved in preparing and priming the poles. Lots of discussions and provocations were presented to the children about artists, our country’s first peoples and repurposing unwanted materials.

Not only did the project promote the importance of recycling and repurposing. It also offered all the children the opportunity to connect with an elder in our community and share aspects of local Aboriginal Culture, promoting awareness, respect and understanding of our country’s 1stpeople.

On Friday 4th March Arthur began his work offering our children the opportunity to meet, observe, participate and learn about his culture. The children were very excited to watch animals that inhabit our outdoor play spaces such as brush turkeys, native bees and possums evolve in Arthur’s mural. The children also had the opportunity to paint the timber poles contributing to some visually impressive and culturally significant works of art. Throughout the morning the children, families and other members of the community eagerly worked alongside Arthur; creating unique pieces of art that were relevant and reflective of our community and our local environment.

We embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and promote children’s awareness of Australia’s first peoples.

We invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional a contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture.

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We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

We Invite Elders and community members to share aspects of traditional contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.