Cobblebank Station (VIC)

Indigenous culture is full of stories about growth, change, and transformation.

In challenging COVID times it's relevant that we hear and see more of them.

As part of the Rail Projects Victoria Ballarat Line Upgrade, artists Fiona Clarke and Ken McKean were commissioned to enhance several train stations and create welcoming public spaces that recognise Indigenous culture and history.

Their creative designs are placed throughout, including on our latest O fountain at Cobblebank station.

The art showcases a story based on the Journey of the Eel and the Eel season. This is an account of traditional indigenous seasons passed down from the Kulin Nation, the traditional custodians of the land.

It turns out that an eel’s journey is vast, over 10,000 miles.

They breed in the coral sea off northern Queensland and travel to Victoria and into the Yarra River. Along the way they transform then adapt to freshwater from saltwater as they migrate.

This ability to adapt, to change fits in well with where we are as a collective right now.

We believe that transformation, being open to change and learning from Indigenous cultures will help create the future we need.

We applaud the team behind this. Public spaces that weave cultural identity in a layered, textured manner help to tell a story about place.

Client:

Rail Projects Victoria

Partner:

SMEC

Artist:

Fiona Clarke & Ken McKean