Traditional art work inspired by Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders methods has lined the halls and offices of the Stawell Police station thanks to the Concongella Primary School.
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Students from the primary school's foundation year levels, all the way to Grade Six have shared their work with the Stawell Police station to acknowledge NAIDOC week.
Concongella Primary School art teacher Lynette Cox Hayward said she was approached by Stawell Police sergeant Eddie Malpas earlier in 2021 to see if the school would partner for the project.
Ms Cox Hayward said her teachings were inspired by resources provided for NAIDOC week as well as her own passion and research into Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander art practises.
She said to see the artwork displayed in the police station was a point of pride.
"It has been an interesting process and it has been a rewarding experience," she said.
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"It is great to see the kids artwork and it is a really nice place to display the work.
It is also great to see the diversity of what the kids have done."
Ms Cox Hayward said NAIDOC week had provided the school a chance to learn more about Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander culture.
"With the theme of NAIDOC week as 'healing country', it is the best way I can think of to help connect with that that theme," she said.
"This project allows the kids to see some Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander culture, so it is a broadening of their understanding.
"Some kids have never seen it before, and some others knew about it and can talk quite freely about it so it was a way to connect with that theme."
Stawell Police sergeant Eddie Malpas said the project had allowed the students to connect with Indigenous and Torres Strait islander culture, their local landscape and the Stawell Police community.
"I was just trying to think of something different, that we haven't done before and what better way to celebrate or at least learn more about NAIDOC week," he said.
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"The more they get involved, the better outcomes longer term, in terms of their understanding what NAIDOC week is about and having an appreciation for their own local area.
"It is just another way we can build that relationship with the kids and get them comfortable with the police."
Stawell Police will display the art work for some time before it returns to Concongella Primary School, while plans are being made for the school to create a permanent piece to remain at the station.
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