Miles Franklin Primary School students enjoy a cloudy day out of the classroom alongside local artist Geoff Filmer. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
Young creative minds from Evatt’s Miles Franklin Primary School recently jumped at the chance to bring native plants and animals to life through art.
Joined by local graffiti artist Geoff Filmer, a handful of lucky year 6 students helped create a one-of-a-kind mural, depicting native flora and fauna on a new build owned by Icon Water.
Students helped design the art in 2022 and returned last month to finish it. The work highlights waterways that connect their local Ginninderra Creek to the Murrumbidgee River, Murray River, and eventually the Southern Ocean.
The Evatt Odour Control Unit (OCU) mural was born out of collaboration between Miles Franklin Primary, Icon Water, local landcare volunteers and Geoff’s company, Graffik Paint.
Known as Canberra’s ‘mural man’, Geoff has worked on popular projects across Canberra, including the Erindale bus station, Wanniassa school, Floriade, and the Narrabundah reservoir tank on Hindmarsh Drive.
“We had a great time using art to tell a story, about the water passing underneath as it travels back to the ocean,” he says.
“It depicts the many native species that call these waterways home, including birds, fish, turtles and frogs – even a little platypus.
“The students were really enthusiastic and excited to get their hands on some paint. It was a chance for them to learn about Canberra and our environment in a creative, hands-on way.”
Icon Water’s latest venture in Evatt brings the number of murals on company buildings to 20. Each utility site has been transformed into public art primarily to discourage vandalism, but it also provides an unmatched showcase of native flora and fauna.
Geoff says learning through art is a valuable experience for everyone, whether they consider themselves ‘artistic’ or not.
“Before we can write, often before we can even speak, we draw. It’s one of the first ways we express ourselves as young children,” he says.
“There’s something that fascinates us about expressing our thoughts, feelings and experiences visually, and leaving a mark on our world.
“When you create something and gift it to your community, which is really what street art is all about, you make a mark that will last for years to come. I like to think some of these students will be proud to show this mural to their kids, or even grandkids, one day.”
General manager of Infrastructure Services at Icon Water, Gerard Brierley, says the new Belconnen trunk sewer will take wastewater from sinks, drains and toilets to the Lower Molonglo Water Quality Control Centre.
“The Evatt OCU is one of four purpose-built units located in Latham, Florey and Evatt to alleviate potential corrosion issues,” he says.
“Geoff and the kids have done a spectacular job, turning a piece of infrastructure that is state-of-the-art into a work of art.
“These units are built to last for generations, so it’s great to have young people involved in and learning about the critical infrastructure we’re building for them and future users.”
Find a map that highlights all 20 Icon Water murals across Canberra here.
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