NEWS DESK
Bicycle network: Dylan, Miles, Jack and Matt demonstrate using bike wheels and rope how communities are connected to each other, above, and Flinders the Scarecrow, left, shows that gardens provide food, shelter and beauty. Time spent in the garden is never time wasted, according to Jackson, Matt and Simone. Pictures: Gary Sissons
Artworks stimulate students’ creative flair WESTERN Port Secondary College may be the first school in Australia to have a sculpture park in its grounds, assistant principal Hannah Lewis believes. It came about after year 8 students visited McClelland Sculpture Park earlier this year to explore the park and ponder why creativity was important, as well as the role of the artist in society. “Inspired and challenged by the sculptures they came away with ideas for setting up their own sculpture park, modelled on McClelland, to complement student-created sculptures in its grounds,� Ms Lewis said. Students from the year 8 Young Entrepeneurs Stream set about curating a roving ‘pop-up’ mini exhibition of paper sculptures they had created
as a prototype for the real thing. The ‘pop-up’ sculptures were judged by staff and students on their creativity and awarded prizes. School groups were then invited to enter works in the inaugural Western Port Secondary Sculpture Prize, with many creative designs and sculptures accepted. Indigenous students and friends worked with Baluk Arts to create Bunjil’s Nest for a Learning Stones garden set within bush tucker gardens. “We want all students in our school to be nurtured and have the opportunity to develop and grow,� Ms Lewis said. “The Learning Stones garden is a place to find solace, dream and play. It is a place where we acknowledge and honour Indigenous culture, history and heritage.� Hands-On Learning students rendered a wall
at the front of the college and created Ponder the Pelican to perch on top to greet visitors. Year 8 students have been welding and using angle grinders to make giant spider webs to hang between trees made of metal rods. The spider web represents nature. Flinders the Scarecrow was created for the Hinterland Scarecrow competition. “We want people to think that a garden is more than just a garden: it provides food, shelter and beauty, and time spent in the garden is never time wasted, but time well spent,� Ms Lewis said. The creators of The Birdcage did not want it to be a traditional birdcage. They wanted it to be a cage that birds could easily get and in and out of, rather than it being a jail. Butterflies in the cage represent joyfulness. Bright colours create a
sense of safety. The college’s creative enterprises aim to connect students to the broader community. A giant spiral sculpture on the bike shed wall is labelled Connections. “We are all part of a network of communities and groups that are interconnected and reliant on each other in many ways,� Ms Lewis said. “Groups are represented by the bike wheels and the rope that connects them.� Western Port Secondary College has invited the public to a market, 4-6pm, Thursday 17 November, and to tour the sculpture park. The winner of the 2016 sculpture prize and people’s choice award will be announced at the opening of the VCE art exhibition later in the evening. Those attending are asked to vote for their favourite sculpture.
Launch event a day of fun and learning for all NAIRM Marr Djambana - Frankston Aboriginal Association, will be officially opened on Saturday 19 November, and the association are swinging open their doors to all-comers for the occasion. On the day, there will be indigenous dancing, a smoking ceremony, presentation of council members and politicians, and heaps of things for kids to do, including bouncing castles, petting zoos, bumper cars, and performances on the stage. There will be a market stall there where people can buy Christmas presents and gifts. There will be plenty of handmade gifts and indigenous artworks available for viewing and purchase. There will also be stalls from local health service providers that can offer services and advice to the general public. The community facility has been a project supported by Peninsula Health and Frankston Council, and is designed as a
community gathering place and place for support service for people of indigenous and Torres Strait Islander heritage living in Frankston or the surround area. “There are over 2000 people of indigenous and Torres Strait Islander descent living on the Mornington Peninsula alone�, said chairperson Karan Kent. “The facility aims to deliver programs and activities during the school terms. During school holidays it will offer holiday programs for those parents who cannot afford traditional childcare.� “It is also a conduit between the indigenous population and health services. Various health services can come and speak to people about services in their area, whether it be health, wellbeing, or family support.� While the facility has been open for about a year and a half, the members of the association are now ready to officially
launch and spread the word about what the association entails. “We consider it imperative to embrace the surrounding community and raise our profile in the community. That way we can let people know what they are about,� said Ms Kent. “We would be delighted if the residence of Frankston and the surround areas came to our celebration launch event to officially open Nairm Marr Djambana.� “This is the first and only gathering place in Frankston, a culturally safe space of learning and knowledge for our peoples and the broader communities of Frankston and beyond.� “This is a historical event for everyone and we look forward to seeing you there!� The celebration day will be held on Saturday 19 November between 10am and 3pm, at Nairm Marr Djambanna, located on Nursery Avenue, Frankston (right behind Jubilee Park).
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BLAIRGOWRIE • DROMANA • MORNINGTON • ROSEBUD • SEAFORD • TOORAK PAGE 10
Western Port News 15 November 2016