Bass Coast Shire Council is proud to announce the appointment of celebrated contemporary artist Kay Abude as the lead artist for a major new Public Art Commission for Wonthaggi, with the support of the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund. The Program honours the remarkable contributions of the Wonthaggi Miners' Women's Auxiliary-trailblazing women whose activism, leadership and community strength shaped Wonthaggi's identity and played a nationally significant role in advocacy for workers' rights, gender equality and social reform.
The announcement comes in a milestone year for the town, as 2025 marks the 100-year anniversary of The Union Theatre in Wonthaggi, a cultural venue built through community effort, solidarity and pride.
The Victorian Women's Public Art Program forms part of Council's broader celebration of this centenary, recognising the generations of local women whose contributions helped shape the life and identity of the theatre.
Following a competitive selection process, Abude was chosen for her deeply considered, community-led approach and her strong commitment to honouring local history. Working in collaboration with Tilt Industrial Design, her proposal includes a series of community workshops, storytelling forums and collaborative design sessions, culminating in a major public artwork for the Union Theatre Wonthaggi.
The concept draws inspiration from the "hem"-a metaphor for women's quiet strength, collective action, and the foundational support they provided during the 1934 miners' strike.
Abude's design process will use archival photographs, historic texts, oral histories and community-generated concepts, creating artwork that is collectively made with the community, not simply for it. Her approach mirrors the legacy of the Women's Auxiliary-grounded in unity, resilience and shared purpose.
Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Rochelle Halstead said the project represents a powerful and timely moment for Wonthaggi.
"We are incredibly proud to welcome Kay Abude to this important project. It is so meaningful to honour the extraordinary women who shaped the town's story. What excites me most is Kay's commitment to working hand-in-hand with our community-listening to stories, weaving our history into the design, and creating a piece that truly belongs to Wonthaggi."
The artwork will be developed in early 2026, with community engagement at the heart of each stage. Workshops will invite local families, historical groups and descendants of the Women's Auxiliary to participate directly in the creative process.
Bass Coast Shire Council looks forward to working with Kay Abude and the Victorian Government to deliver this landmark cultural project that celebrates Wonthaggi's proud history and the women who helped shape it.
