NSLHD News December 6 2019

Aboriginal artist Selwyn Williams and NSLHD Clinical Lead for Aboriginal Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Michelle Lawrence

mural a reminder of aboriginal culture at macquarie Macquarie Hospital’s Cameron Building has received some welcome attention thanks to a colourful specially-designed mural painted in the building’s foyer. you enter the building.

“The Welcome pieces at the centre of the mural were created by our MHDA consumers and were displayed here previously so this is a real collaboration. “The mural provides a constant reminder for staff coming to the building that we are all visitors to this land and acknowledge our elders past and present.” The mural is part of the process of making environments across NSLHD more culturally appropriate for our Aboriginal community but also many other cultures as well .

The mural was designed by Aboriginal artist Selwyn Williams who was commissioned to produce the artwork by staff from the district’s Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol service. NSLHD Clinical Lead for Aboriginal Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol, Michelle Lawrence, said the initiative came following the “Asking the Question” animation launch event. “Our mental health consumers tell us that some of our environments could be more welcoming and culturally appropriate, she said.” “Culture is everywhere and for Aboriginal people it is in the trees and the animals and this mural shows the tree of life and the tree of spirit. “Worimi” written on the left of the mural means ‘Hello’ in the local Dharug language and “Yaama” on the right also means ‘Hello’ in many other Aboriginal nations so we have “Hello – Welcome – Hello” across the wall as

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