July 27, 2021 WORK COMMENCES ON NEW REGIONAL AND MAJOR TOWN ENTRY STATEMENTS
Works have commenced on installing three new regional entry statements and eight new major town entry statements (two each for Innisfail, Mission Beach, Tully and Cardwell).
Local Traditional Owners and artists from Mamu Aboriginal Corporation, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation (Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre), have supplied artwork for the statements. The statements also provide an acknowledgement of country recognising the Traditional Owners and their significant contribution to the Cassowary Coast.
The works will involve the removal of the existing ‘Welcome to the Cassowary Coast Signs’ on the Bruce and Palmerston Highways, as well as the ‘Green like you’ve never seen’ sign North of Innisfail and the ‘Historic Cardwell by the Sea’ sign South of Cardwell. The removal and replacement of the existing signs are required to ensure there is a consistent message throughout the region, being ‘One Coast – Cassowary Coast.’
Cassowary Coast Regional Council Councillor Trudy Tschui said we’re excited to deliver these new entry statements in 2021, which is the year of Indigenous Tourism. The new entry statements are about showing off the lifestyle we all love and the community we are, how we respect our environment, how we value our people and how we celebrate our diverse cultures and history.
The designs reflect the Cassowary Coasts two major agricultural exports being sugar cane and bananas, whilst also highlighting our two world heritage areas being the Wet Tropics World Heritage Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, our significant number of Tropical Art Deco buildings and celebrating our local Traditional Owners.
The statements have been designed so that the panels are interchangeable and can be used to highlight major events throughout the region. The statements will also incorporate lighting so that they can be seen at night.
Councillor Trudy Tschui said the majority of visitors to our region come by road along the state highway network servicing the region. These road-based arrivals are expected to continue to facilitate by far the most significant influx of visitors into the future. These entry statements will give a positive first impression of our region and major towns.
“This is the first project to be constructed from the Cassowary Coast Wayfinding and Signage Strategy. The aim of the strategy being to create an enhanced visitor and local experience within the Cassowary Coast Region. The project underwent public consultation in 2019 and comments received during this period were integrated into the final designs.
“This is a great example of collaboration between the Traditional Owners, Department of Transport and Main Roads and Council to deliver benefits to the Cassowary Coast region.”
The project has been made possible thanks to the assistance of the Mamu Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, Girringun Aboriginal Corporation (Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre), Trish Barnard and Garry Costello, Vince Sofia from HdeVolution, Department of Transport and Main Roads, as well as the principal contractor, Armsign.
Mamu Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Waribarra Mamu
Artist Biography:
Kara Nixon and her young son Thaydeus MacFarlane (b.2008) descend from Paddy Brooks whose language name was Dungginyu. They are Waribarra people who spoke the Mamu language and lived in the densely forested deep gorges of the Upper Johnstone River (wari means deep gorge). Waribarra includes the area north of approximately the Palmerston Highway (which follows traditional pathways for much of its length) and the North Johnstone River country west to about Millaa Millaa. Thaydeus is therefore the great great great grandson of Dungginyu Paddy Brooks, and great great grandson of his daughter Winnie Brooks. Dungginyu Paddy Brooks escorted explorer Christie Palmerston (1850-1897) to the tablelands (Millaa Millaa) in the 1880s. Thaydeus is a student at Trinity Bay State High School and was accepted into the Visual Arts Industries (VAI) Excellence Program in 2020.
Where the Artwork will be Featured:
‘Gumbugan Walking’ by Thaydeus MacFarlane will feature as one panel on Two Regional Entry Statements (Western and Northern) and Two Innisfail Major Town Entry Statements (Northern and Southern)
- Western Regional Entry Statement: Palmerston Highway at East Palmeston
- Northern Regional Entry Statement: Bruce Highway at Eubenangee (replacement of the existing Welcome to Cassowary Coast Sign)
- Innisfail Major Town Northern Entry Statement: Bruce Highway at Goondi Bend (replacement of the Green Like You’ve Never Seen Sign)
- Innisfail Major Town Southern Entry Statement: Bruce Highway at South Innisfail (near Rifle Range Road turnoff)
Girringun Aboriginal Corporation (Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre)
Djiru Warrangburra Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Title: ‘Djiru Gunduy’ 2009
Artist: Leonard Andy
Cultural Group: Djiru people
Artist Biography:
Leonard Andy is a Djiru traditional owner who works as an artist with the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre in Cardwell. He has been producing wooden artefacts, public art, sculptures and paintings that demonstrate his attention to detail, and exhibiting since 2003.
Where the Artwork will be Featured:
‘Djiru Gunduy’ by Leonard Andy will feature as one panel on Two Mission Beach Major Town Entry Statements (Northern and Southern).
- Mission Beach Major Town Northern Entry Statement: Tully Mission Beach Road at Mission Beach (near Pump Station)
- Mission Beach Major Town Southern Entry Statement: El Arish Mission Beach Road at Mission Beach (Near Licluala Walking Track)
Girringun Aboriginal Corporation (Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre)
Gulngay Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Title: ‘Traditional Shield’ 2009
Artist: Clarence Kinjun
Cultural Group: Gulngay people
Artist Biography:
Clarence Kinjun is a Gulngay traditional owner who works as an artist with the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre in Cardwell. He is a language speaker and respected Elder for the Gulngay people and retains traditional cultural knowledge. He is the grandson of the last traditionally initiated man of the Tully River. Clarence is a highly skilled maker of traditional artefacts including shields, swords and boomerangs, and has been exhibiting since 2007.
Where the Artwork will be Featured:
‘Traditional Shield’ by Clarence Kinjun will feature as one panel on the Two Tully Major Town Entry Statements (Northern and Southern)
- Tully Major Town Northern Entry Statement: Bruce Highway at Tully (North of existing welcome to Tully sign)
- Tully Major Town Southern Entry Statement: Bruce Highway at Tully (Near the Industrial Estate)
Girringun Aboriginal Corporation (Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre)
Girramay People Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Title: ‘Midja’ (hut)
Artist: Debra Murray
Cultural Group: Girramay people
Artist Biography:
Debra Murray is a Girramay traditional owner who works as an Artsworker, photographer and artist with the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre in Cardwell.
Where the Artwork will be Featured:
‘Midja’ by Debra Murray will feature as one panel on One of the Cardwell Major Town Entry Statement (Northern):
- Cardwell Major Town Northern Entry Statement: Bruce Highway at Cardwell (near the turnoff to the Church)
Girringun Aboriginal Corporation (Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre)
Girramay People Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
Title: ‘Jawun’ and ‘Shield’Artist: Abe Muriata
Cultural Group: Girramay people
Artist Biography:
Abe Muriata is a Girramay traditional owner who works as an artist with the Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre in Cardwell. He is a highly skilled weaver, painter and craftsman who has been exhibiting since 2005.
Where the Artwork will be Featured
‘Jawun’ by Abe Muriata will feature as one panel on One Regional Entry Statement (Southern) and ‘Shield’ by Abe Muriata will feature as one panel on One Cardwell Major Town Entry Statement (Southern):
- Southern Regional Entry Statement: Bruce Highway at Cardwell (replacement of the existing Welcome to Cassowary Coast Sign)
- Cardwell Major Town Southern Entry Statement: Bruce Highway at Cardwell (replacement of the Historic Cardwell by the Sea Sign)