The Mandurah Visitor Centre has today unveiled its new Welcome to Country art installation as part of extensive renovations to the building.
The visitor centre, together with the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC), invited Bindjareb Boodja artists to submit artwork that reflected Mandurah's waterways, coastal location, local flora and fauna, or cultural stories connected to the area.
The winning artwork, created by Binjareb Boodja artists Peta and Corey Ugle, features as a Welcome to Country design on the main wall of the visitor centre and showcases the stunning waterways and abundant wildlife, flora and fauna that characterise the Mandurah region.
The McGowan Government supports Aboriginal art welcomes in visitor centres as part of a range of cultural programs being delivered under the Jina: WA Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2021-2025 (Jina Plan).
The Jina Plan was developed by Tourism WA, together with other government agencies, WAITOC and representatives from the State's Aboriginal tourism industry.
Its aim is for WA to become the nation's premier destination for authentic Aboriginal tourism.
This is WA's second Aboriginal art welcome installation at a visitor centre, with the first launched in August last year at the WA Visitor Centre in Perth.
For more information about Aboriginal art, tours and experiences in WA, visit https://waitoc.com
As stated by Tourism Minister David Templeman:
"It's very exciting to be here to unveil WA's second Aboriginal art welcome installation here at the Mandurah Visitor Centre today.
"Congratulations to the winning artists Peta and Corey Ugle, whose stunning artwork was selected by a panel of judges because it portrays the special journey our visitors take when visiting the heart of the region.
"The foot tracks represent the first nation's people who have lived on this land for many thousands of years and who welcome visitors to their beautiful country.
"The Mandurah Visitor Centre is the first port of call for many people visiting the region, so to have this incredible piece of artwork adorning the wall in its reception is a wonderful acknowledgement of the traditional owners and custodians of the land, the Bindjareb Noongar people."
As stated by Aboriginal Affairs Minister Stephen Dawson:
"It is wonderful to see another visitor centre incorporate an Aboriginal art installation as a welcome feature.
"Our Government is committed to growing economic, employment and social outcomes through Aboriginal tourism opportunities to help meet Closing the Gap targets.
"We know that tourists often cite wanting to experience Aboriginal culture when visiting WA, so this is a welcome step forward on our journey to becoming the nation's premier destination for Aboriginal tourism."
