Gumbaynggirr for ‘place of wellbeing’, the Aboriginal and Cultural Wellbeing Centre – Maam Darruyaygamba at the Coffs Harbour Health Campus is a quiet space away from treatment areas where patients, families and friends can sit together in a comfortable and relaxing environment.
NADA worked with Aboriginal Health and the Health Campus team to create a collaborative design reflecting stories of health and healing.
High school students from the local Aboriginal community were invited to attend an art workshop facilitated by Gumbaynggirr Elders and artists who mentored and supported the youth artists to create their artworks.
Elders shared their cultural knowledge of bush medicines and healing for the youth to translate into art.
Through a selection process a number of artworks were chosen to be developed into the final design. The design graphic was delivered for use in the new centre with youth being paid an artist fee and acknowledged in a storyboard within the centre.
An exclusive license was also negotiated to feature the artwork throughout the health campus redevelopment, including an adaptation of the design for the internal stairwell, an excellent outcome for the youth artists and community.
Photo credit: Images courtesy of Health Infrastructure
