Bright new mural makes a splash at HopeStreet Port Kembla

BaptistCare HopeStreet Port Kembla today proudly unveiled a new, locally designed mural on their Wentworth Street building.

Commissioned in collaboration with the Illawarra Wingecarribee Alliance Aboriginal Corporation (IWACC), the work has been created by local artist Jahynah Wiwerana-Donaczy.

The mural is painted on five large sheets of metal and blends traditional and modern styles of Aboriginal art to feature five ocean animals often seen off the local coast.

“This is the biggest work I’ve ever taken on and it was daunting at first to come up with an idea for the mural,” Jahynah said.

“Ocean animals are important to Indigenous people here because each one represents a totem of each tribe. The connection we have with these animals has been passed down from Elders, and now art, and hopefully this mural, will help continue to pass on our stories.”

With symbols representing community and togetherness in the background, the mural is the perfect addition to the outside of the BaptistCare HopeStreet building.

“This mural is a beautiful representation of the strength and resilience of everyone who walks through the door at HopeStreet Port Kembla,” said Robyn Evans, General Manager of Community Services and Housing with BaptistCare.

“We know the inside of HopeStreet Port Kembla is a safe and welcoming environment for anyone who needs to access our food, unemployment, homelessness or domestic and family violence support.”

“It’s great to now extend that to the outside of the building through this mural so more people might see and access the important work we have been doing in Port Kembla for 18 years,” Robyn said.

With support via a grant from the Department of Regional NSW, this partnership between BaptistCare HopeStreet and IWAAC has been able to flourish and led to the mural being commissioned.

Maria Maher from the Illawarra Wingecarribee Alliance Aboriginal Corporation (IWACC) said she is excited to see what else can be achieved as IWAAC and BaptistCare HopeStreet launch this new addition to the Port Kembla mural scene and continue their collaborative community care.

“I’m hoping this is the start of more and more Indigenous art on walls around town,” she said.

“When I had them sitting in my office everyone commented on them and wanted a version for themselves. It’s exciting that Jahynah’s mural will now welcome people into Port Kembla when they pull off the freeway.”

“It’s also a great way to continue our working relationship with HopeStreet and I’m excited that our Elders group and community are now in partnership with the team and services offered by BaptistCare,” she said.

BaptistCare HopeStreet Port Kembla has been supporting the local community since 2006 and offers a wide range of services to support people in the community living with disadvantage.

This includes a regular lunch service, onsite caseworkers, community engagement programs, domestic and family violence support and more.

The mural is now proudly displayed on the BaptistCare HopeStreet building on Wentworth Street, Port Kembla.

IMAGE: Artist Jahynah Wiwerana-Donaczy in front of the mural she painted and now hangs on the outside wall of HopeStreet Port Kembla