This painting blends the Goolay’yari (Cooks) River vista, as seen from Steel Park, with the stripes of the Steel Park River Patrol Life Guards’ swimsuits.
The Steel Park River Patrol Life Guards watched over the lives of swimmers during the early 20th century. My painting is a reminder that today it’s us, who must be the guardians of all life in and around the Goolay’yari River. We must help restore a balance of flora, fauna, funga and all microbes for a healthy environment for all of us. Local resident groups like the Mudcrabs, the Mullets, Mudlarks, Bushcare and many others already play a part in this guardianship of the river. Maybe one day even us humans will swim again in the river.
