In March-April 2021, Briony collaborated with Tati Tati artist Brendan Kennedy and the Moreland Primary School students to create a new mural for their school.
In parallel with these sessions, Gregory ran a series of workshops with year 5-6 students, spending time with Merri Merri and revisiting themes and activities developed during the 2019 Creekulum project.
Titled We Love Merri Merri, the mural is a celebration of the Merri creek ecosystem (MERRI MERRI). The mural depicts Merri Merri, above and below country, representing the macro and micro, the visible and invisible, the spiritual and scientific.
Creatures in the sky and trees include the: Tawny Frogmouth, Rain Moth, Magpie, Rainbow Lorikeet, Raven (crow) and Wedge-Tailed Eagle. The eagle (BUNJIL) and crow (WAA) are a strong feature in this mural because of their importance to the Wurundjeri People. Creatures in the water include the: Platypus (DALAI-WURRUNG), Short-finned Eel (IUK), Rakali (water rat), Pacific Black Duck (BATHMU), River Blackfish and Growling Grass Frog.
The soil around the Manna Gum tree (WURUN, on the right) and Silver Wattle (MUYAN, on the left) features insects and microbes, such as: millipedes, springtails, mites, nematodes, water bears, protozoa and bacteria.
The mural depicts the student’s vision for a future where the creek becomes clean enough for the platypus to come back to the Merri Merri.
The mural is the culmination of the Creekulum project initiated by Sarita Galvez, and was supported by Pick My Project funding from the Victorian Government and facilitated in collaboration with Wurundjeri Council and Merri Creek Management Committee.