News

Art unites generations at Cunningham Downs

By Ryan Bellingham

Jul 1, 2025

St Joe's and Cunningham Downs Mural Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

Cunningham Downs Village received a colourful new mural thanks to a collaboration between residents and students from St Joseph’s College Echuca.

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On Friday, June 27, the mural was unveiled at an event in the community hall, attended by residents, community members, students and teachers.

Residents committee president Bob Baker said the idea came about after deciding an empty wall in the community hall could use a touch up.

Beth and Bob Baker said they are thrilled with the mural. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

“We’d been staring at this big blank wall and I thought how wonderful would it be to see some great artwork there,” he said.

“With that idea in mind, we reached out to St Joseph’s College to see if their students might be interested in taking it on as a project.”

So at the start of the year, students from the Year 9 design class began working with the village’s hall and residents committees to plan the artwork.

Mr Baker said they wanted a mural that tied in with the history of the Echuca Community for the Aged, which operates Cunningham Downs and is one of the town’s oldest organisations.

Under St Joseph’s arts learning leader Allison O’Brien’s guidance, the project invited students to create a vibrant artwork that brought a sense of identity to the hall’s shared space.

Mrs Allison O'Brien speaking at the mural unveiling. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

“This wasn’t just an art task, it was an experience rooted in empathy, connection and purpose,” Mrs O’Brien said.

“Students consulted directly with residents, designed with intent and painted with care, often outside of class time.

“It’s a shared achievement, a cross-generational connection and a powerful example of how art can unite and uplift a community.”

The process resulted in a piece that consciously depicted Yorta Yorta country with respect to Traditional Owners, while paying homage to the village’s early years.

The finished mural in the Cunningham Downs community hall. Photo by JORDAN TOWNROW

In it, a paddlesteamer floats down the Murray River towing a load of cargo, while native birds, animals and fauna loom on the banks beneath a fiery sunset.

Year 9 design student Ben McCrae said the creative process was a highlight of the project.

“It was really interesting to work through the process of agreeing on a design with the residents,” he said.

“For us, to be able to have a say and be appreciated for our work, it felt really rewarding.”