Students help add splash of culture and colour at Lake Claremont

Students from Mount Claremont Primary School with mural artist Jarni McGuire

• New mural transforms pump station at John and Jean Mulder Park in Claremont.
• The Splash of Colour program is a curated public art series celebrating water and WA’s vital network of drinking water and wastewater services

Students from Mount Claremont Primary School have helped add a ‘Splash of Colour’ at Lake Claremont for the latest addition to Water Corporation’s public art series.
 
With Lake Claremont recognised as a site of cultural significance for Aboriginal people, Water Corporation invited Noongar artist Jarni McGuire to collaborate with the Year 4 class on a mural to transform the wastewater pump station within John and Jean Mulder Park.
 
Prior to European settlement, the location was an essential supply of drinking water and abundant source of food for local Noongar People.
 
Water Corporation’s education team delivered an interactive workshop on local water supply and ways to be waterwise, before Ms McGuire led students in a water-themed art class, showing them how to incorporate Noongar symbols into their design.
 
Water Corporation Partnerships and Education Lead, Karen Kagi said the mural, with its layers of colour and movement, has transformed the dull – but essential – pump station within the Davies Road park.

“Instead of seeing a drab, green-brick building, visitors to the area will now be met with a bright and colourful piece of art, that celebrates the vital role of water in bringing our community to life.”

Ms McGuire said for Noongar people, water has always been sacred. 

“Water is where stories begin, where life is renewed, and where community gathers. 

“This mural stands as both a celebration and a reminder to protect, respect and cherish the waters that give us life.”
 
Students welcomed the new look for the pump station as they often gather at the park after school or on weekends, ensuring Lake Claremont remains a meeting place for the community.

Since Water Corporation launched Splash of Colour in 2017, more than 90 murals have transformed water and wastewater infrastructure across the state. 

The initiative supports the WA Government’s Kep Katitjin-Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise action plan 3 to establish leading waterwise communities for Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) by 2030. For more information, visit here.