Mariin Kaling - Hunter Water
Mariin Kaling - All for Water
Artwork Story:
This highly textured artwork celebrates our shared natural resource of water and Hunter Water’s vision to work together across communities to enhance a love of water and invite all to participate in custodianship of this precious and valuable resource.
A large gathering circle sits at the very centre of the design, highlighting a love of water and the water cycle. Encircled by the traditional symbol for water, three water holes are each made up of three inner circles and embraced by people symbols. The imagery holds significant meaning of inclusiveness, joining together in respectful relationships, partnership and as one team, as we plan for the sustainable use of water, regeneration and caring for country both now and into the future.
The three waterholes within this central design hold a threefold meaning across key focus areas:
- It depicts the three key RAP areas being Relationship, Respect and Opportunities
- The care of water across time:
- Past - Gaining insight and wisdom from traditional practices and our history.
- Present – Invitation to collaborate, have a voice and bring ideas forward.
- Future – Creating sustainability for future generations
- Community input through Youth Programs, Learning and Your Voice.
The traditional people symbols embracing each of the waterholes highlight it’s about people and being inclusive of all in this journey, while four waterways flowing horizontally across the canvas highlight this journey from the history of water and into the future. This imagery also depicts the four core business areas of Hunter Water: drinking water, wastewater, recycled water and storm water and relates to all of our waterways including natural springs, dams, wetlands, rivers and oceans.
Five gathering circles interwoven within the artwork backdrop highlight Hunter Water’s footprint on country through representation of tribal groups located across Hunter Waters operations, being Awabakal, Biripi, Darkinjung, Wonaruah and Worimi people. In addition, these symbols also reflect Hunter Waters five values: Trust, Wellbeing, Leading, Learning and Inclusion. 
Waterhole imagery on either side of the central image shows working together around a shared vision across all areas of water management. This is also reflective of the history of Newcastle through depicting two of our water history icons in the temporary pumping station on the Hunter River at Oakhampton and Newcastle No 1 reservoir on Tyrrell Street.
The artwork backdrop reflects our local country and water through colour palette and design. These invaluable resources invite a reconnection back to nature and undergird Hunter Water’s commitment to building better relationships and closing the gap through reconciliation.
Concept Overview
The design and creation of an Aboriginal Artwork celebrating Hunter Water’s Reconciliation Action Plan around the three key focus areas being: Relationships, respects and opportunities, bringing recognition of Hunter Water’s commitment to building better relationships and closing the gap of disadvantage faced by Aboriginal people and communities.
Through visual design, vibrant colour palette and traditional story telling of Aboriginal symbolism in contemporary design, the artwork appeal will be wide spread and able to be used across many communication channels. Design and creation of a personally unique fine artwork including concept, development and design.
Industry-first water education resource launched during national Reconciliation Week
Hunter-based Aboriginal artist Saretta Fielding said it was a privilege to be part of this project and to help bring this story to life.
"I'm particularly proud that the story has been developed in two versions to incorporate
the traditional languages of the Awabakal and Worimi peoples, demonstrating the shared value of this resource within our community," Ms Fielding said.
Hunter Water's Education Coordinator Kristy Ratcliffe said Where's Our Water? has been made widely available on Hunter Water's website.
"We've made this free resource available for everyone in our community so that it can be shared and enjoyed," Ms Ratcliffe said.
See full story on Newcastle Herald
Where's Our Water?
Where’s Our Water? has been written for primary school students in the Lower Hunter region to teach them about the value of water as a precious resource and that it is everyone’s responsibility to care for it to ensure we have enough now and into the future. Hunter Water has collaborated with both the Awabakal and Worimi communities to create this new story that draws on their traditional wisdom and practices of caring for our land and waterways.
We hope that pride in our Indigenous cultures and an intrinsic desire to care for water is shared throughout our region’s children as result of reading and sharing this story.
See full story on Hunter Water
INDIGENOUS STUDENTS COLLABORATE ON WATER RESOURCE BOOK
Hunter Water has created a book to educate young people about the value of water and conserving it.
The story – “Where’s Our Water?” – was written by ten indigenous students from Newcastle High School.
Comments
kathy —
i particularly liked this activity as water is a very valuable resource and this lesson is suitable to all peoples and is sensitive to AITSI Peoples and focusses on this too