Bats and Belonging takes flight

HIDDEN amongst the trees of Geelong’s Eastern Park is a permanent grey-headed flying fox colony, and despite being the most common megabat species in Victoria, many locals have had no idea just how close these animals live to us.

To help the community better understand what it means to share our home with bats, Deakin University, The House Geelong and the Bats of Geelong Wildlife Shelter have joined forces to present Bats and Belonging, a free exhibition at Untether Gallery.

Co-founder of The House Geelong and Senior Lecturer in Environmental Sciences at Deakin, Dr Adam Cardilini, said he wanted “to see how the arts might help people appreciate animals more.”

“Belonging was an idea I’d been playing around with… exploring how people connect with animals.

“Geelong’s bats are right in the heart of our city, and I don’t think we appreciate that enough. They live rich lives, good lives, and they’re our neighbours.”

A callout to local artists drew 38 contributors, who were invited on a field trip to Eastern Park to sit quietly beneath the trees, sketching and learning from experts.

“We sat quietly under the trees with the artists, sketching and learning about the bats. It was powerful,” Dr Cardilini said.

“For some artists, this process is changing how they see and think about bats. Art helps us work through ideas in ways other media can’t.”

He said the exhibition was open to everyone, emphasising accessibility.

“A free community exhibition feels open and welcoming… it’s not exclusive. Everyone should have the opportunity to share their work, even if they’re not a professional artist.”

Grey-headed flying foxes are a threatened species, with rising temperatures placing them at risk.

Dr Cardilini encouraged people to visit the Geelong colony as long as they respectfully keep a safe distance from the bats, never touch them, and always phone a wildlife rescuer if they find

one injured.

Bats and Belonging will be on display until February 21.