First Nations art goes on tap

IN honour of this year’s Ballarat Begonia Festival, Central Highlands Water’s choose tap drinking fountains around Lake Wendouree have been painted by Wadawurrung artist Billy-Jay O’Toole.

The artwork, titled Managing Country Together, depicts the sun, landscape formations, eucalyptus leaves and Wadawurrung’s wedge-tailed eagle totem Bunjil.

“I appreciate Central Highlands Water for providing this opportunity for people to look at, and connect with, the artwork and the Country around them, and to recognise that the land they are on Wadawurrung country,” O’Toole said.

CHW managing director Paul O’Donogue said the water company’s key focus for the Begonia Festival is caring for water and the land is flows from, and the fountain artwork represents the relationship between the utility and the registered Aboriginal parties of its catchment area.

“We’re excited to again be the community partner of the Ballarat Begonia Festival and, with the support of the City of Ballarat and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, take the opportunity to raise awareness and build relationships, partnerships and collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in our community to achieve positive outcomes,” he said.

“The new Managing Country Together Choose Tap drinking water fountains provide an impactful visual reminder of the many elements of our region, through the eyes of a Traditional Owner.”