Striking serpent shows path for next generation

The striking mural, which pays homage to the Swan River creation story, was designed by the City of Cockburn’s aboriginal youth outreach worker Darryl Bellotti.

‘I came up with the design based on my interpretation of the story as it was told to me,’ he said.

‘The idea had been something that I had in mind when I first started at the Youth Centre (in May 2013) and with Naidoc coming up, I went ahead and planned it.

‘Once the work was initiated, I was able to recruit the young people that frequent the Youth Centre to assist in the work.’

Mr Bellotti said art was an important means by which culture could be shared and learned.

‘By sharing stories and teaching what we know, the younger generation can learn about their culture and one day pass on what they have learned to the next generation of young people,’ he said.

Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said empowering young people with their own culture, and to feel confident enough to share their own culture, was a vital part of the project.