EXTRAORDINARY stories have come to light as the community shares its recollections of times past with artists from Nyami Gawbarrigam, a Bowraville-based women’s group, who have been researching local history for a mural they were painting on the wall of the Bowraville HealthOne facility.

The mural is now completed on the western wall of the facility, depicting stories from the past, land animals, pregnant women, ancestral traditions and bush medicine.

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Nyami Gawbarrigam artist Jasmine Stadhams said the community had a helping hand in deciding what stories were going to be illustrated throughout the artwork.

“We held meetings with community, and they told us local stories like how women used to travel along the birthing walking track to Bellingen, more than 30 kilometres of rugged terrain and mountains to give birth to their babies,” Ms Stadhams said.

“This is a sad but significant part of Bowraville history, so we felt it needed to be included on the wall, to show how strong and resilient the women were.

“Not everyone knows this story.”

The project has been a collaboration between Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD), Jaanymili Bawrrungga Inc., the women’s group and Newcastle-based artist Ellie Hannon helping to bring all the elements and different styles of painting together.

Member for Oxley Melinda Pavey said the community has been involved every step of the way in the delivery of the Bowraville HealthOne and this artwork is another way to ensure the facility reflects the local community.

“It is so important that we not only remember but honour the women of Bowraville and this painting truly achieves that,” Mrs Pavey said.

“Since it opened, the Bowraville HealthOne has made a huge difference, bringing general practice and a range of community health care services together as a ‘one-stop shop’.”

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh, who joined the community on Friday 16 December to mark the milestone, said, “The painting ensures the history of Bowraville will not be forgotten.

“The Bowraville HealthOne is an important addition to the community, making it easier for locals to access the healthcare they need.”

Ulamila Rokodakunivosa, a MNCLHD Aboriginal Health Worker in the Women’s Health – Domestic Violence Personal Empowerment Program, said it has been a positive process, with all the artists working alongside each other.

“Ellie met with the artists to work their ideas together, so it made a cohesive and flowing work of art, using virtual technology to visualise the finalised piece.

“They even had a social media group so they could communicate and play around with ideas,” Mrs Rokodakunivosa said.

“It took less than two weeks to complete and now the community has a beautiful mural which is historically and culturally significant, which also encourages the public to utilise the programs and services provided here.”

The Bowraville HealthOne facility offers a diverse range of services including two primary care practitioners, Community Health, Child and Family Health, vaccination clinics, preventive and psychological care.

Health eating, wellness and health practitioner training programs are also offered to the community.

“Recognition must be given to local Aboriginal community leader Michelle Jarrett for her work in initiating the mural,” closed Mrs Rokodakunivosa.

By Andrea FERRARI