Yawuru calendar brightens banners

The success of the 43-year-old Shinju Matsuri Festival has always been intrinsically linked to support and participation from the community – and this year is no different.

Broome schools and community groups have been busy with their paintbrushes in creating street art to be proudly displayed in town before and during the 10-day event from September 13 to 22.

The theme and inspiration for the Horizon Power-supported Shinju Matsuri Banner Project this year is based on the Yawuru calendar.

Each of the calendar’s six seasons is marked by the abundance of certain species of fish, birds, reptiles, insects, plants, fruits and vegetables.

These cultural elements have been incorporated into each unique banner design.

The unveiling of the banners is eagerly awaited by young artists and is renowned for giving the festival individual and colourful splashes of creativity.

Students taking part in a new community project have worked with experts including Shinju

Matsuri president Stephen “Baamba” Albert and visual artist Paula Hilyard.

Yawuru advisors Clare McLean, Maxine Charlie and Martha Leeprovided their knowledge and assistance.

Broome Residential College — one of the schools involved in the project — is a boarding facility housing close to 60 students from more than 22 different communities across the North West, particularly the Kimberley.

The students attend St Mary’s College and Broome Senior High School for their secondary education and many have been involved with or attended Shinju Matsuri since they were babies.

Broome Residential College student Assyra Daisybell, 13, said she loved painting and learning about colours.

“I can’t wait to see (the banners) flying in the wind around town,” she said.

College manager Kristine Van said the students enjoyed learning about the Yawuru seasonal calendar and having their different cultures highlighted during the painting workshops each week.

“The students are also very excited to see where the banners will hang.

For some of them it is a dream realised and perhaps a hint of things to come,” she said.

“We believe this truly celebrates what we love about Broome and the outlying areas.”

A number of primary and high schools, training institutes and mentoring programs took part.