Warri artwork to symbolise partnership between Barwon Coast and Wadawurrung People

BELLARINE locals will soon be able to enjoy a newly created artwork titled ‘Warri’, which celebrates the partnership between the Barwon Coast body and the Wadawurrung People.

The new stunning canvas artwork titled ‘Warri’, meaning saltwater in Wadawurrung language, is produced by Wadawurrung man Billy-jay O’Toole and celebrates and better explains the significance of first nations culture on the Bellarine.

According to Mr O’Toole, the design celebrates the work Barwon Coast does towards celebrating culture on country, while connecting, protecting, and understanding the native environment.

The Warri artwork includes sand dunes that hold thousands of years of history of Wadawurrung people, it also explores the waterways that Barwon Coast manage by representing the saltwater and coastal ocean with bottle nose dolphins, sharks and whales in order to symbolize some of the larger species that live in our region.

The waterway also includes eels and other fish which connote the various food sources that were provided to Wadawurrung people for generations and generations.

Barwon Coast’s office is also symbolised in the piece, with the different coloured dots representing the various soils that underly the area, while footprints also accompany the artwork, showing the path that First Nations people have followed on country for thousands of years.

Many hands are represented on the artwork to note that many hands go into protecting the natural environment, including those of Barwon Coast, the Wadawurrung people and the wider community.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) Healthy Country Project Officer, Sarah Eccles, said the relationship with Barwon Coast is guided by Paleert Tjaara Dja – Let’s make Country good together 2020–2030 – Wadawurrung Country Plan.

“We want locals living in and people visiting Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads or Breamlea to understand they are on Wadawurrung Dja (Country),” Ms Eccles said.

“To share our cultural values and connections and how we continue to Gobata Dja –taking care of the coast.

“Our work with Barwon Coast over the next few years will see this strengthened.”

Barwon Coast Committee of Management Chair, Sandra Gatehouse, said Barwon Coast is committed to meaningfully involve Wadawurrung people and utilize the knowledge and advice they share.

“Our key strategic document, the Coastal and Marine Management Plan 2020-2025 very clearly states that we are committed to this partnership,” Ms Gatehouse said.

“We are now meeting regularly with the Wadawurrung People and have a number of current year projects guided by this relationship.”

‘Warri’ is currently on display in the Barwon Coast Office at 7 Ewing Blyth Drive, Barwon Heads, and will eventually be displayed at the Barwon Estuary Heritage Centre on Jetty Road in Barwon Heads.

Barwon Coast and Traditional Owners look forward to working alongside each other in caring for the coastal environment for many years to come.

A powerful short video produced by Ocean Grove-based filmmaker Jarrod Boord of Streamline Media explains and showcases the artwork and the partnership.

The video can be found at youtu.be/SxOjz8-cd5A