The NADA team worked in collaboration with Coffs Harbour City Council and the Gumbaynggirr community to produce Aboriginal designs for signage honouring the original site of the ‘Old Camp’, now known as Fitzroy Oval and with dual naming ‘Old Camp, Yaam Nguura Jalumgal’.
Three stories were identified by the Elders that were significant reminders of the ‘Old Camp’:
- The ‘Living Conditions’
- The ‘Waterhole’
- ‘The Tap’ that provided fresh water to the site.
The Elders shared their stories from the past with thirty Aboriginal youth from local high schools.
Through two art and storytelling workshops, with both the Elders and Aboriginal artists as mentors, a fourth story was identified, inspired by the young people who wanted to share their vision for ‘The Future’.
A total of thirty artworks were created. From this, five outstanding artworks were selected to reflect the stories of the ‘Old Camp’ as seen by the Gumbaynggirr Elders, and ‘The Future’ as imagined by our youth.
NADA ensured that correct licensing was in place with each of the successful youth artists receiving a license fee for the work.
This art initiative allowed for a modern interpretation of traditional stories and yarns to be shared between generations, and now captured in the two inspired designs.
The designs have been cut into COR-TEN steel which is made to rust overtime, becoming a deep ochre colour creating a dramatic statement against the charcoal grey concrete walls. The metal panels have been back lit with LED lighting to making the designs and stories accessible in the evenings as well as through the day.
NADA acknowledge the Gumbaynggirr people, the traditional owners of the land on which we work and live. We pay our respects to them and to Elders both past and present.
For information on how you can work with NADA please contact us on 02 6658 1315 or email nada@aboriginaldesign.com.au
NADA worked closely with a group of youth artists from local high schools:
Dallas Torrens – Orara High School
Jessika Sandry – Toormina High School
Jonah Blackburn – Bishop Druitt College
Mikaele Brown-Hickson – Coffs Harbour High School
Tyrahn Craig – Coffs Harbour High School