Jandakot has recently undergone a makeover, thanks to the hard work of RFDS WA Head of Nursing, Paul Ingram who commissioned Aboriginal artwork to be displayed around the base.
The piece was created by WA-based artist, Kevin Bynder, who worked with Mardaa to complete his design. Mardaa is a proudly Aboriginal-owned organisation who champions Australian suppliers and artists to create branded merchandise.
The artwork can be admired in the courtyard, in the clinic and of course at the entrance of our Jandakot base.
The story behind the art
The very top of the art shows the waterholes and flowing river of the Dyarlgarro Beelier (Canning River). Below that the white (mardaa) ochre can be seen. The ochre is used for markings on the body for war, dance and lore. The ochre is also used to paint on bark, rock and other areas.
The five blue circles represent our five bases: Jandakot, Kalgoorlie, Meekatharra, Port Hedland and Broome. The blue circles are connected to three large red circles which represent our fleet of aircraft: the PC-12s, PC-24s and the EC145s.
The small blue dots in which the large red circles sit represents the Swan River (Derbal Yerrigan). The river was created by the Rainbow Serpent (Waagyl) during the dreamtime.
Not only did the Waagyl create the rivers, she also created the waterholes, hills and the entire landscape. She also gave the land its colours.
Below the river are several large orange circles which represent the RFDS WA’s core values: Respect, Fairness, Diversity and Safety.
Jandakot is a meeting place where several tribes would meet. The ‘U’ shapes in the artwork represent this. The arrow shapes are the Kangaroo (Yonga Bidi) tracks, Kangaroos were plentiful as the grazed on the plains in the South West.
The bottom shows the Darling Range (Katta Morda). This is the body of the Rainbow Serpent (Waagyl), once she has created the land, she lies dormant between four tribes.
The very bottom is our land (Boodja).
Smoking ceremony
A smoking ceremony took place shortly after the installation of the artwork where staff were given the opportunity to learn about the traditional Noongar practice.
Proud Whadjuk Ballardong men, and father son duo, Daniel and Johnny performed a traditional Aboriginal song using tapping sticks (Jurnha) and the Didgeridoo (Yidaki) while the gum leaves created white smoke. After the performance, Johnny explained the significance of a smoking ceremony to Whadjuk people. When visitors from different cultural groups would visit Whadjuk land, it was the responsibility of the Whadjuk people to smoke out their visitors to provide them with safe passage.
It doesn’t matter who you are, or where you come from, it’s our responsibility to make sure you guys are alright and safe here on Whadjuk country.
Johnny GarlettSmoking ceremonies are also traditionally performed at funerals and when a new place is inhabited.
