Patients at the Friendly Society Private Hospital now have brighter days after students from Bundaberg North State High and Bundaberg Christian College created two vivid murals using local inspired imagery.
The 2.4m x 3.6m murals have been painted on plain brick walls outside the patients’ windows, giving a colourful view of turtles, lush strawberries, cane fields and even Bert Hinkler’s plane and house.
Bundaberg North State High School Year 12 students Bailey Field and Charlotte Dew were two of a large group of students who started working on the project last year.
They said the experience inspired them to put their creative caps on for future projects.
“It was a good experience and I learnt quite a lot doing it,” Bailey said.
“It’s the biggest art project I have ever taken part in and I liked making it and will think about creating more in the future.”
Charlotte has studied art throughout high school. She used acrylic paint and said her role was to work on the turtle, which was inspired by the turtles that frequent Mon Repos.
Mural is part of the school’s curriculum
Bundaberg North State High School art teacher Orinda Martin said the art was part of the Certificate II course the students are undertaking.
“The students have to participate in order to complete their unit of competency and get accreditation and get a certificate,” she said.
“This artwork covers two of the nine units the students have to complete.
“We are grateful the students were involved in this artwork at the Friendlies.
“These are community-based projects and we usually target someone in the community who needs community-based art and we go from there.”
Patients love the room with a view
The Friendly’s senior manager of business development Stuart Bonnett said in response to patients’ requests for something to look at, the hospital put a call out to local high schools to design and paint a student mural that was reflective of the Bundaberg Region.
“Each successful school received $1000 to put towards the painting of the mural, as well as the opportunity for students to experience project management of an artistic piece from concept to design and completion,” Mr Bonnett said.
“We like to partner with local schools to provide opportunities for the youth of Bundaberg to enhance their skills and be part of something that gives back to the community.”
Mr Bonnett said the murals had delighted patients and had a positive impact on staff.
“The patient feedback was immediate, and we have been getting rave reviews of the students’ work, even staff are enjoying the murals,” he said.
“The students have really done a fantastic job and have brought some colour and life to a part of the Level 1 Courtyard walls that will last for years to come.”
Mr Bonnett said the hospital still had a number of blank walls and he hoped to have more school students take part in future to help beautify them.
- Bundaberg Art Prize entries invited
