Two former Surfside Primary School students have followed in their mother’s footsteps, contributing their creativity to represent their former school.
Sisters and proud Wollithiga women from Yorta Yorta Country, Kasey and Jess Tattersall have created a vibrant design to the new Year 6 tops at Surfside Primary School displaying the connection between the school, Aboriginal culture and the land.
A decade ago their mother, Abbey Rowe, painted a striking mural with the help of students at the school’s Aboriginal meeting place.
The sisters said they were proud to build on their mother’s artistic legacy at their former school.
“We both went through primary school here, as did our other two siblings,” Kasey said.
“So our whole family’s been through here, and there’s the mural that our mum did when we were young, so it’s a very special thing for us.”
“We made sure that we tied in a connection to mum’s artwork with our design,” Jess said.
“So the colours in the centre are the same as mum’s mural, and the same with the toad and other animals as well.”
The design features circular shapes representing meeting places and connections in community, while the school’s values of achievement, teamwork, honesty and respect are embedded in the central yarning circle.
“There’s the blue which represents the beach and the Barwon River, and we’ve got the school totem animals in there, the wombat, echidna, shark and lizard, which were gifted to the school from Wadawurrung elders,” Kasey said.
“The footprints show the students’ journey through the school and the mark they leave behind. It’s all about connection and journey and everyone feeling like they belong.”
Check out @_sistastudios to stay up to date with Kasey and Jess’ design business.
