The following article was provided by the St Marys Catholic Parish Office and was originally printed in their Church Newsletter.
The blessing and opening ceremony held last Friday was well attended and we are grateful to the Most Rev Brian Heenan (Bishop Emeritus) for accepting the invitation to administer the blessing. In his address, Bishop Brian spoke of his long standing friendship with Barbara and her husband Ernie in Rockhampton during his term as Bishop of that Diocese. As co-ordinators of the Catholic Aboriginal and Islander Ministry in Central Qld, they made a significant contribution to the lives of many people.
Gayle Minnecon presented a vivid picture of her people’s love of the land in the Welcome to Country and we were inspired by her drive and passion to continue to fight for the rights of the Indigenous communities of Australia regarding ownership of sacred lands.
Liz and Deb, Co-ordinators of the M’boro Mural Project spoke favourably about the interest shown in the Mural Trail through the City with over 35 murals now in place.
Mayor George Seymour, before officially opening the Mural, commended the efforts of Committee members for the ongoing success of the project. He congratulated the original artist Butchulla Elder Aunty Barbara (Trevaskis) and the artist Aunty Karen (Hall) who painted the Footprint on the wall.
The Parish is proud to showcase this Mural which is entitled ‘Guardians of the Land’
