dapto ribbonwood
Scroll to the right for the full mural.
The draft murals are shown below...
Draft concept 1
Draft concept 2
Draft concept 3
Mural Overview
First consideration for the design was always how best the compliment the indigenous mosaic mural already on the front wall.
This design follows some of the same principles.
The flowing line is the shape of Mullet Creek as it flows through Dapto. Along its length many of the images are depicted within a circle shape. The surrounding environs of Dapto are included , the escarpment line is shown as well as a small part of the Lake Illawarra.
All the images are placed more less in situ where they relate to the creek in real life. The buildings and other images that relate to the past and have been lost during the passage of time are depicted in black and white.
Local Identities
The mural begins with an idigenous man from the past ?King Mickey?. A probable tribe leader for the area. and therefore a real ?King? in that sense., he also had a courthouse on his property and often ordered undesirables out of town on the next train.
William Beach was a Champion sculler who trained and honed his skills on Mullet Creek, he was a world champion during the times before the Olympics existed
Industry
Mining at Wongawilli was a source of income for many locals along with 5 other mines in the area.
Work would start early in the morning , the men would carry all their water and their food in a tin box called a ?crib? so rats wouldn?t get to their lunch before they did.
Dairy cattle were grazed in the area to produce milk for the local consumption and beyond. The old dairy would process the milk for sale.
The smelting works was near the mouth of Mullet creek and used coal from Wongawilli for their fuel.
Landmarks
Brownsville park was and is a still a place for people of Dapto to relax and swim. Families and groups come down on the weekend to picnic and socialize. Canoeing is popular also. The shape of the creek as it bends here makes it a great place for recreation of all kinds.
The Post Office now demolished, was a landmark situated right in the centre of town.
Fairleys General Store was also in the town centre the building there now still bares that name.
Dapto Greyhound Race Course is an icon for the town.
The steam railway then and the modern railway now remains a crucial link for Dapto
Flora and Fauna
Mullet Creek of course has a couple of mullet fish in it as well as a flathead fish also known to be present in these waters and thought to be an important food source for the indigenous people. Birds included are ones that are known to be often seen in the area
The Black Cockatoo,
Strawnecked Ibis,
Crimson Rosella,
Wedgetail Eagle
Black Duck- thought to be the totem of the Indigenous Nation of the area.
The Orchid ?Pterostyllis Baptistii? is known in the area and could be exclusive to the area also.
The central feature is the Ribbonwood Tree ?Euroschynus Falcata? and represents the Ribbonwood Centre itself in its position in relation to the creek and also in its symbolic form as tree with a canopy under which you could meet and/or shelter.
Sport
Dapto's sporting community and youth are represented in the football player, the netball player and the skateboarder. All activities are known to be important to
the community in the area with the Dapto Canaries, a keen group of Netball teams and an annual skate boarding competition.
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