The Artwork Story

Like a river, from the Elders to the Youth and in-between.

This artwork is a story about the flow of knowledge, culture, and wellbeing — from our Elders to our Youth, and the space in between — where wisdom is shared and new understanding grows. It draws on the teaching that improving health and wellbeing goes far beyond physical health — it’s also about mental, spiritual, and cultural connection.

The colours of the six Noongar seasons echo the Wagyl (Rainbow Serpent) — the great creator of the river and landscape. As its backbone, Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) winds through the canvas, symbolising life force and spirit flowing through Country.

At the top of the artwork, the Elders are represented by ancient layers of orange rock — weathered through time, holding generations of knowledge and stories.

At the bottom of the artwork, the Youth are shown as green hills — still growing, learning, and needing guidance to make positive choices for their health and wellbeing.

Between them lie yarning circles, where generations come together to share knowledge and stories. Each circle holds lessons of the Mind, the Body, and the Spirit — the three forces that keep us in balance.

The Mind, presented in pink for the brain, reflects not just intellect, but thought and emotion. Karda (Goanna) tracks symbolise knowledge and teaching. Their movements are slow, observant and deliberate. This represents patience, awareness, and wisdom. Their burrows speak to the seen and unseen worlds — the conscious and the subconscious. On the outer circle are brain waves, representing how ideas ripple outward, and how knowledge is shared and passed on.

The Body, presented in red for blood and muscle, connects to our physical being — movement, strength, and sustenance. The yonga (kangaroo) tracks and quandong fruit embody old teachings of hunting and gathering, nurturing, nourishment, and traditional medicine; lessons of survival and care for self and community.

The Spirit, presented in yellow for energy, represents connection to ancestors, Country and culture. It is the golden thread that links the past, present and future. The ngoolark (black cockatoo) feather carries the voices of ancestors and symbolises the balance between land, water, and sky. The djarraly (gum tree) blossom stands for internal strength and endurance — its roots reaching deep into the earth, grounding us in culture and history, while its branches reach for tomorrow.

Above all shines the night sky, where each star represents one of the 29 voices in this book — each one a light guiding others. The countless smaller stars symbolise the Youth who will be touched and inspired by their knowledge and stories.

Together, these elements express the central message:
“Like a river, from the Elders to the youth and in-between.”

It is a story of connection — of teachings flowing through Country, carried by the Elders and community, and continuing through our young people as they shape a healthier, stronger future.