Local artist and proud Kamilaroi man, Eamon Roberts, has unveiled his latest artwork during National Reconciliation Week. Titled Upon Our Journey, the piece was commissioned by Peninsula Health’s Aboriginal Health team for the Palliative Care Unit at Golf Links Road Rehabilitation.
The artwork symbolises our birth into the Dreaming and the journey every person takes through life, represented by the returning boomerang, completing the cycle of life.
“The boomerang is prominent in this artwork, it is a symbol of the boomerang path, as in returning from life to death, as we enter the Dreamtime,” explains Eamon.
“The meaning is strong, it’s just not as simple as we’re born, and then we die. It’s a continuous circle, with many story lines in between.”
Eamon’s artistic contributions extend beyond this latest piece. His designs feature prominently at Peninsula Health, including Aboriginal Health uniforms, the Don’t Be Shy, Identify campaign and the mural at the vaccination hub in 2021. His work reflects a deep commitment to sharing and preserving cultural narratives through visual storytelling.
Peninsula Health continues to foster reconciliation by creating a welcoming and culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members. Through partnerships with artists like Eamon, the organisation ensures that Indigenous voices and heritage are embedded within its spaces.
“Creating art for Peninsula Health is not just doing the project and walking away, the partnership we have is continuous – we share a respectful and trusting relationship which in turn makes for a great outcome for staff and patients,” says Eamon.
National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to reflect on the nation’s shared histories, cultures, and achievements, fostering unity and understanding. It also provides a valuable platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, like Eamon, to showcase their art and talents, an opportunity that Peninsula Health proudly supports and champions.
