Kaurna Country
South Australia
As a physical acknowledgement of Country in the centre of the St Aloysius College (SAC) campus, the Wardlis is an outdoor learning area, informal gathering and collaboration space and a symbol of reconciliation on Kaurna Country. Wardli means 'home' in Kaurna language.
Each painting featured within the pods represents the Ranwul, Karlo and Palai (past, present and future) stories of 35 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students as created by artist-in-residence Cedric Varcoe, Ramindjeri-Ngrrindjeri and Narangga Artist.
The significance of this project cannot be overstated. Engagement with the First Nations community at SAC brought everyone together with one voice as an integral part of the Reconciliation Action Plan.
Quotations from the Educational Narrative by Paddy McEvoy, SAC Principal as below.
"The Wardlis emerged from discussion at the SAC Reconciliation Action Plan Committee about how best to recognise the cultural authority of the Kaurna people as the owners of this country on which we live and learn."
"Leading this development was architect Peter Moeck, who showed how genuine listening to the voices of young people and cultural advisors can shape something truly unique. He made space for true collaboration and learning through architecture."
Cedric Varcoe: Ramindjeri-Ngarrindjeri and Narangga artist, Artist
Iguana Creative, Creative Infrastructure
Gregg Mitchell, Graphic Designer
Don Brice Multimedia, Photographer
Major Lancelot ‘Moogy’ Sumner AM (Uncle Moogy): Senior Ngarrindjeri Elder, First Nations Consultant