Friday Night at the Theatre Royale
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Marina Lommerse, Michael Phillips
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2020
Location: 64 Forrest Street
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: “This ode to the much-loved Theatre Royal alludes to leisure pastimes in the past and future of Collie. The mural is located on the site of the former theatre site which opened in 1928 and was demolished in the 1970s.
“From Collie residents, we found a well of fond memories about the grandeur of the space and the shenanigans that took place.
“‘If those seats could talk,’ one resident commented in passing while we were painting. ‘On Friday nights we would go to the pictures in the Theatre Royal. With the curved staircase and red velvet curtains, it was a grand place.’
“The depiction of the audience, dressed in costumes of the era, was prompted by the quote, ‘We always sat downstairs and considered the upstairs gallery somewhere for only the hob-knobs – whoever they might have been in Collie.’
“On the screen, a travelogue of a bushwalker enjoying the Collie great outdoors is showing. Dorothy, a character from The Wizard of Oz, a movie of the era, is the bushwalker. The movie marquee references a long-standing Collie shoe store, Well’s Boot Palace, where Dorothy purchased her ruby bushwalking shoes. Dorothy no longer lives in Kansas – she’s moved to Collie Trail Town for the great outdoors life!
“Visit the mural, bring your vintage hats and pose as one of the hob-knobs in the upstairs gallery. But don’t throw any jaffa balls or Mr. King, the renowned, long-standing usher will be on your case!” -Marina Lommerse and Michael Phillips
The mural was researched, conceived, developed and then painted through a collaborative process facilitated by Michael and Marina.
Local stories and archival research: Yvonne Hammond, Gloria Mathews, Margaret Bates, Tom Reardon, Tania Roberts, Alison Melvin, Nola Green
Mural Studio artist team: Camilo Idarraga, Jack Holmes, Joy Marshall, Robyn Duncan
Collie community collaborator: Thamarat Phoka
Untitled
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Jade Dolman (J.D. Penangke)
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2020
Location: Wellington Dam lookout, Wellington Dam Rd, Worsley
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: “In this mural, the colour blue depicts the beelier (river) which gives us life. White represents our stories, that run through the land and are passed on from generation to generation. The colour green portrays our lush eucalyptus trees providing food and shelter for the birds, while purple depicts the bright wildflowers that grow among the bushland.” Jade Dolman
Gnaala Karla Booja
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Kamsani Bin Salleh (Kambarni)
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2020
Location: 42 Johnston St, Collie
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: “’Gnaala Karla Booja’. This is the title of the work, it is also the name of the region that encompasses the towns of Capel, Donnybrook, Balingup, Wickepin, Narrogin, Williams, Mundijong, Kwinana, Brookton, Pingelly, Wagin, Harvey, Collie, Pinjarra, Mandurah and Boddington. It translates roughly to ‘Our Home Land’ in Noongar. Karla refers to ‘home’ but also to ‘fire’ which is why the mural colours of red and yellow were chosen.
The fire coloured patterns seem quite random at first but eventually reveal a lot more, much like looking into a campfire on a dark night. Animals, endemic to the region their relationships as well as Noongar cultural practices of the area, constantly reveal and hide themselves within the artwork.” Kambarni
Untitiled
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Ernie Turpin, Lousie Turnpin
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2006
Location: Collie Goods Shed, Forrest St (inside)
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: This series of two murals, located inside the Collie Goods Shed, tell the story of Collie’s rail heritage.
Jones Family
Image source Taj Kempe, David Dewsbury
Artist: Donald Cook
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2020
Location: Cnr Steere Street N & Forrest St
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: “Jones Family tells the story of David Jones and his young family – amongst the first group of colonial families sent to Collie, tasked with establishing the coal mining industry in town. The region would go on to produce power for over 123 years, playing a key part in making Western Australia what it is today.
“In this mural, Mr Jones is placed into Ted Green’s Barber Shop, which previously stood where the Jones Arcade is today. There are small, detailed objects placed around the Barber Shop for the viewer to find, telling a personal story of Collie’s locals and of industries that Collie is transitioning into as the days of coal come to an end.
“I strongly recommend a trip to the Coalfields Museum and Research History. You will be surprised by Collie’s colourful history!” -Donald Cook
Creed Birch
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Daek William
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2019
Location: 73 Steere St N (laneway)
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: Daek William transformed the side of the Red Cross building with a large mural developed around the theme of bikes, hikes and trails. The mural was developed in 2019 for Festiv Arty, Collie’s local art festival.
Untitled
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Trudi Curran, Collie Community
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 1999
Location: 24 Harvey St (rear wall facing carpark)
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: Dr. Keith Meadows asked Trudi Curran and the Collie Senior High School students to help depict a mural that illustrated opportunities available in Collie. A range of panels that were designed and painted by the students, Keith and some of the doctors at the practice were the result; a collaborative piece. A long, stylized shape that represented the Collie River was also created as a background to the design.
Collaborators: Dr Keith Meadows and other associated doctors at Collie River Valley Medical Centre; students from Collie Senior High School.
The Endless Adventure
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Andrew Frazer, Lori Pensini, Collie Youth
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2016
Location: Cnr Steere Street N & Johnston St
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: The Endless Adventure responds to the themes of adventure, local exploration and home. The concept was developed during youth workshop focusing on shared stories and skill development. Developed in 2016 for Festiv Arty, Collie’s local art festival, the mural was installed over three days by Andrew, Lori & a group of passionate local Collie youth.
A Love Letter
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Andrew Frazer, Collie Community
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2017
Location: 24 Harvey St (side wall facing laneway)
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: A Love Letter is about celebrating where you live – a love letter of appreciation. The concept was developed during a youth workshop focusing on shared stories and skill development. The mural was installed over three days by Andrew, Noel & a group of passionate local Collie youth, as part of Festive Arty, Collie’s local art festival.
Collaborators: Noel Barnes & Collie Youth (Lily McCallum, Asha Briggs, Lena Perry, Lewis Thomson, Brydie Hanns, Aspen Peel, Georgie-Rose Perry)
Kulguty (meeting place)
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Basil Hart, Mark Dann, mentored by Troy Bennel
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2010
Location: Collie Visitor Centre, 154 Throssell St (inside)
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: Each year, the traditional Noongar people of this area would travel through the countryside following the seasons and settling where food was plentiful. After a stint inland, they would gather in an area like the one depicted in this artwork to wait for the orchids to flower. It was at this time they knew to follow the nearby Brunswick River to the coast where the fish would be running. Images of Noongar ancestors can be seeing the trees framing the artworks as a mark of respect for those that have passed.
The left-hand panel depicts a camping ground where the Noongar people would hold corrobarees involving traditional singing, tapping sticks and dance. There was always a fire burning for warmth, cooking and light. The water represents the Brunswick River.
The central panel shows the diversity of flora and fauna native to the area. When the trees used to blossom, there were spider and donkey orchids, berries, gumnuts and flowers. The Noongars knew there was feed in the river. Marron, crabs and cobblers all lived in the Brunswick River which then flows into the Collie River and continues into the estuary near Eaton.
The right-hand panel shows Noongar people leaving the campsite and travelling closer to the coast. The place they set up camp is known as the Kingston area today. This is something they did each year as they followed the feed and the seasons. This areas was a campsite for the local Noongar people who used it as a place to stop on their way to the coast. They walked along the Brunswick River and then the Collie River before continuing onto the estuary around Australind / Eaton.
Ground
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Audrey Frenandes-Satar, Arif Satar
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2020
Location: Lot 5 Medic Street (Flooring Xtra side wall)
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: Ground is a panoptic drawing of the hills draped with patterns inspired by banksia seed pods, calling attention to the fragility of Collie’s ancient landscape where the river flows gently. Here, the richness of black coal emerges to balance the built environment, reminding us of the preciousness of the land and our interaction with it.
Conceptually, Ground is an act of drawing where moments in history are touched upon in gestures of ideation, such as historical buildings, housing for immigrants layered with threads of embroidery that made this place home. But most importantly, it is the soft hills of Collie that take centre stage, laboriously covered in patterns to remind us to look at the ground we walk on.
Way 79
Image source Norm Wilson
Artist: Eric Bolt Blyth
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 1979
Location: Coalfields Highway, opposite Cockram Rd
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: This mural depicts the WAY 79 logo, designed by Norm Wilson. It was painted by Eric Bolt Blyth. WAY 79, also referred to as WAY 1979, marked the sesquicentennial (or 150 years) since the European colonisation of Western Australia.
The first WAY 79 event was a New Year's Eve concert on the Perth Esplanade. Ken Colbung, a Nyoongar leader, had been invited to perform, using the occasion to hand an eviction notice to the Governor of Western Australia, Sir Wallace Kyle. Ken Colbung served this notice to the European occupants of Western Australia, on behalf of Western Australia's Aboriginal people. The notice was pointedly in the same form as that used by the State Housing Commission for eviction notices to Aboriginal tenants.
You Are Home
Image source Taj Kempe
Artist: Andrew Frazer
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2020
Location: 85 Steere S N (back wall)
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: “As I travelled up the infamous hill from Bunbury to Collie in the early mornings I was continuously captivated by the landscape's beauty and majesty. The way the light would dart through the tree canopies dancing over the land, casting shadows over the winding road and carving out abstracted forms that ignited my imagination.
The warm yellows contrasted with the cooler shaded tones would fill me with anticipation for the day. It was the beginning of a new day and I wanted to capture this moment; to share this story and to offer it in a public space for viewers to pause, reflect and be refreshed.” Andrew Frazer
Cherax Destructor
Image source Tai Kempe
Artist: Amok Island
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2020
Location: Collie Senior High School, Patterson St, Collie
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: “Cherax destructor, commonly known as yabby, is found in local waters.” Amok Island
Early Motoring
Image source Shire of Collie
Artist: Donald Cook
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2021
Location: Collie Veteran & Classic Car Club, Medic St near cnr of Harvey St
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: The car club mural is a depiction of a 1929 Plymouth Tourer that Harry Wiggers restored from a pile of parts. He began the restoration in the late 1980s and it was the first car in Collie put on a concessional licence.
Reflections
Image source Taj Kampe
Artist: Guido van Helten
Asset Type: Mural
Year of Work: 2020-2021
Location: Wellington Dam Wall, Wellington Dam Rd, Worsley
Provenance: Shire of Collie
Description: Guido van Helten’s 8,000 square metre mega-mural on the Wellington Dam wall is inspired by local stories and photographs.
Guido van Helten is an Australian born visual artist and photographer (1986). He is an internationally recognised artist creating contemporary street art throughout the world which is underpinned by his exploration of community and identity generated through photography and large-scale mural installations.
The Valley Frame
Image source Shire of Dardanup
Artist: Andrew Frazer
Asset Type: Sclupture
Year of Work: 2023
Location: Pull-in bay on Pile Road
Provenance: Shire of Dardanup
Description: Do you know anything more about this artwork? Please comment below or contact us on:
New Pasture
Image source Shire of Mundaring
Artist: Matt Bonsack
Asset Type: Sculpture
Year of Work: 2023
Location: Bullsbrook Community Centre
Provenance: Shire of Mundaring
Description: Do you know anything more about this artwork? Please comment below or contact us on:
Re-Leaf
Image source Shire of Mundaring
Artist: Chris Dolbel
Asset Type: Sculpture
Year of Work: 2022
Location: Gidgegannup Recreation Club
Provenance: Shire of Mundaring
Description: The ever-evolving rusty patina & pitted skin of the metal resembles the variegated veins of a Eucalyptus leaf. Individually they show the beauty found in every leaf. Together they are a story of re-growth, signifying the shared & differentiated beauty of the Australian flora that emerges out of the bushfire ashes.
Reborn Community
Image source Shire of Mundaring
Artist: Alison Archer
Asset Type: Sculpture
Year of Work: 2022
Location: Gidgegannup Recreation Club
Provenance: Shire of Mundaring
Description: Do you know anything more about this artwork? Please comment below or contact us on: