Bunjilwarra is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Hastings, Victoria

It's a healing service for First Nations young people aged 16 to 25 who have experienced trauma and addiction.

Koorie Youth for Change project asked us to run a street art education program with young people at Bunjilwarra. 

For the first stage, we invited Emily Webbers (@wurruckyambo), a talented First Nations artist and facilitator, to run two six-week art therapy programs at Bunjilwarra. The young people involved explored themes relating to the program through art practice. They painted, drew, and developed concepts for the mural. 

Dan came in for stage two of the project. He ran a workshop with the young people and Bunjilwarra staff. Everyone had the chance to practise street art techniques and create letter paintings. The goal was to develop their skills and confidence to paint the mural we designed.

“Drawing, using spray paint and creating paintings, I saw their sense of pride at what they had created,” says Dan.

Each young person directed the content and story for the mural. The young people also created the colour palette and designed the pattern work that went into the background. The group decided that Waa (crow) was to be the main element.

Dan took everyone’s ideas and created a design. The whole group worked together painting the outside of the girl's dormitory at Bunjilwarra.

“Working with the young people over two days to create a mural was great fun, and a real team effort,” says Dan.