Ngarra-jarra-noun
Whether it’s in the entry to Monash Medical Centre, the reception of our Residential Withdrawal Unit, or the front cover of our Reconciliation Action Plan, chances are you’ve seen this artwork before.
Produced by artist Dixon Patten, the mural Ngarra-jarra-noun means ‘to heal’ in the Woi-wurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. This intricately patterned mural contains richly layered meaning, mapping Monash Health’s values and our reconciliation journey, as well as acknowledging the communities we serve.
(Commissioned by Monash Health, artist Dixon Patten produced this mural to adorn and celebrate our 2020–2022 Reconciliation Action Plan. Dixon Patten is a proud Yorta Yorta and Gunnai man and has family bloodlines from Gunditjmara, Dhudhuroa, Wiradjuri, Yuin, Wemba Wemba, Barapa Barapa and Monaro.)
As we care for people across the lifespan, the artwork also maps the different stages of our lives through the three central artefacts:
- The coolamons represent women and children and the connection between birth, life and death.
- The shields represent the strength and resilience of Indigenous peoples and the large hands represent the Elders who share their knowledge.
- The boomerangs represent returning to culture to find counsel and wisdom.
You can read the full story of the artwork here.
The importance of artwork
We know that coming into hospital can be a daunting experience, especially for some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have experienced historical prejudicial treatment.
That’s why at Monash Health, we’re committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment that embraces all people.
Installing artwork by First Nations artists is just one of the ways we’re making Monash Health sites more welcoming for all people.
“It goes a really long way for community when they walk through our doors and see Aboriginal artwork,” says Dan Carter, Chief Aboriginal Health Advisor. “They get to see some amazing artworks that are representative of our amazing health service and our amazing teams.
“But equally important is the social realm. Community want to be able to feel culturally safe when they walk into our services, and that’s why we do important work to celebrate First Nations cultures, especially during NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week.”
New artwork for one of our community offices
On Thursday 7 December, the team at the Lonsdale Street Community office in Dandenong celebrated a new artwork with a yarn over afternoon tea.
(Artist Alex Kerr)
“Monash Health Psychology partnered with the Aboriginal Engagement team and the Youth and Family Service to commission this piece for the 260 Lonsdale St Dandenong office,” says Dr Paul Sadler, Psychology Discipline Senior. “The aims of the artwork were to highlight the themes of Community, Connectedness, and Psychology, provide welcoming artwork for staff and clients, and provide cultural education opportunities for our team. “
Paul says we can all contribute to creating a safe and welcoming environment that embraces all people. “You can continue that work by reviewing your workplace to ensure it is culturally safe and welcoming for First Nations colleagues and consumers or utilising artwork to spark culturally meaningful conversations. Scheduling yarns with Indigenous and non-Indigenous employees can also create valuable learning moments.”
After an extensive Expression of Interest process, artist Alex Kerr was commissioned. Alex Kerr is a Wurundjeri artist who grew up in Dandenong. Alex credits his Elders from the Dandenong and District Aborigines Co-Operative Limited (DDACL) as providing his cultural education, which informs elements of his artwork. The artwork depicts the creator Bunjil, represented by the wedge-tailed eagle, and Waa, the protector, represented by the crow.
The gum leaves and spiritual figures in the painting also serve as a visual Acknowledgement of Country.
“Art helps create a conversation with staff and visitors,” says Alex Kerr. “This artwork showcases how community-oriented and family-oriented First Nations people are, and what ‘connected to Country’ really means.
“This allows staff to correctly care for First Nations peoples in a culturally safe way, which will create better results for our mobs.”
Creating a welcoming environment
Last week, we launched our Reconciliation Action Plan 2023 – 2025. Creating a welcoming environment is a key ongoing action of the plan, with artwork installations one element of that environment.
In 2024, we will implement our Culturally Safe Maternity Spaces project, which involves installing Aboriginal art and cultural artefacts in 26 maternity and newborn services spaces across all Monash Health maternity sites. We are also building an Aboriginal family and visitor space collocated at the Aboriginal Health and Engagement offices at Monash Medical Centre and working with local Aboriginal Land Councils to co-name some of our new sites and projects.
Approved by: Dan Carter and Sarah Ong