Community
29 March, 2024
A colourful addition to Merindah Lodge
RESIDENTS at South West Healthcare’s Merindah Lodge have been watching as the hoarding separating the current building and the upcoming facility is transformed by the collaboration between a local artist and students of Camperdown College.
The hoarding has been decorated with a mural of native Australian animals and plant life, with a jersey cow and other land features representing Camperdown and the surrounding regions.
The project is being led by Glenormiston artist Jess Fowler.
Mrs Fowler said she aimed to make the separating wall a bit “prettier” and give residents something to look at rather than a blank wall.
“It’s native Australian (animals), as well as a beautiful little jersey cow; because we’re in such a farming community, I felt it was important to have one of those guys on there,” she said.
“They’re cute and cuddly; they’re nice, fun little animals, and I hope they bring smiles.”
Mrs Fowler said she found the experience “fun” and has enjoyed when residents of Merindah Lodge go outside to the mural and chat with her while she works.
“It’s been really, really lovely. I think they’ve really enjoyed seeing it come together so far,” she said.
“Quite often they wander out and have a chat with me, which is really lovely. Otherwise they just sit in the lounge and watch out the big windows to see what kind of things I’m doing next.”
South West Healthcare redevelopment communications and engagement coordinator Aimee Grinter said staff in the facility, many of whom are locals, spoke highly of Mrs Fowler’s works.
“She’s done some really beautiful murals at the Terang Visitor Centre, and being a local, it was important for us to engage with a local artist,” she said.
“The residents were extremely excited at the start when we first introduced the project and allowed for them to be involved in the design process.
“We engaged with the residents, we introduced them to Jess, we took them through what the design might look like, and we’ve also given them the very special opportunity of naming one of the animals that are on the mural.
“This is something that is quite iconic to Jess as an artist as she names all of her animals.”
Ms Grinter said residents have been enthusiastic about the project, which has sparked conversation topics.
“They are able to see elements of wildlife and elements of our local community in Camperdown and in the surrounding towns, so it’s prompting them to use their minds and bringing up some memories for them that they’re really enjoying sharing with Jess, the students and the staff,” she said.
South West Healthcare enlisted the help of Camperdown College Year 10 students to produce the mural, with the class looking at the imagery around Camperdown for inspiration.
“We went for a big walk and made some notes, and from that we gave some sketches to Jess to put towards her mural,” arts teacher Rachal Mann said.
“That’s our part of the project so far, and we’ve been helping painting as well which has been fantastic.
“I think everyone’s taken it on board really well.”
Mrs Fowler said the students were great in assisting her with the mural.
“I’ve organised some of the mural to be more of a paint-by-number stain glass kind of appearance, so they’ve got sections that have got individual numbers with the individual paint colours,” she said.
“They fill those in and, by the time the mural is completed, it will be a lovely and colourful.”
Camperdown College student Nancy Leonard-Pekin said she enjoyed being part of the project.
“It’s really nice to be involved in a community project like this, and something that’s going to be around for a long time,” she said.
“It’s been really fun coming up with designs, walking around town, coming up here and painting.
“It’s my first time doing such a big thing that’s going to affect the community, and it’s been really great.”
Ms Grinter said she is proud of the work the students put into the mural, calling the mural “a really great community collaboration”.
“The mural is really inspired by the essence of Camperdown, and the students have played a really significant part in collaboration with Jess in incorporating the design,” she said,
“These guys have taken it upon themselves, in their class time, to go out and explore different areas around Camperdown, and we can really see their ideas being included in the mural.
“We’ve got gum leaves, we’ve got native plants that the students have seen throughout their travels around Camperdown, and it’s reflecting on the mural.”
Once building works on the $39.6 million new aged care facility are completed in mid-2025, the mural will be relocated to the new facility in sections.
The mural will appear in external locations such as barbecue areas, rehabilitation areas and outdoor gyms.