Burrumering Mural Opening

Promoting cultural understanding and inclusion on campus

We are delighted to officially open the mural that was created by Lara Went of Yukul Art from Worimi country and Dylan Barnes, acknowledging and celebrating the Traditional Custodians on the land Macquarie University stands.

Tuesday 9 March, 10.30am – 11.30am
Sport and Aquatic Centre

Last year, Macquarie University’s Campus Life team began a project with Walanga Muru to further understand the culture of the custodians of the land on which our campus stands and how the multiple programs, services and facilities they operate could acknowledge the Darug Nation.

As part of this collaboration and relationship, Campus Life were gifted the use of the Burrumering, a guardian spirit of the Darug Nation. They engaged artist Lara Went of Yukul Art from Worimi country to bring the Burrumering to life. The Burrumering’s representation and meaning for the Darug Nation and other Aboriginal peoples and clans along the east coast of NSW aligned with Campus Life’s values and made its gifting all the more special.

After creating the original image and design of the Burrumering, Lara spent a week on campus recreating three large versions of the guardian spirit. Macquarie University Student Dylan Barnes, a proud Wiradjuri person with cultural connections to the Ngardi people of East Arnhem Land and the Darkinjung people of the Central Coast, worked alongside Lara, collaborating with her on the feature Burrumering to create the incredible mural which depicts the story and landscape of the Burrumering and its cultural significance to the Darug Nation and other Aboriginal peoples.

Join Lara, Dylan, Dr Leanne Holt and VP People and Services, Nicole Gower on Tuesday, 9th March from 10.30 to 11.30am at the Sport and Aquatic Centre as we discuss the artistic process, cultural significance of the Burrumering and its ties to CampusLife, who are committed to building cultural capacity and awareness for staff, students and their communities and are taking visible steps to create an inclusive and safe environment for everyone on campus.

For any queries on this event, please contact events@mq.edu.au.

Artists bios

Lara Went

(she/her)

Lara is a proud Worimi woman from Forster on the mid north coast of NSW.

Growing up on Worimi Country Lara's passion for art and creating has been with her since she can remember, however it wasn't until 2014 when her daughter Lola was born that her passion finally became a reality.

Yukul Art was born from Lara's vision to want to create and share her culture all while being a full time mumma. Lara draws inspiration from Worimi country, her family, the ocean, caring for nature and mother earth. Lara is very passionate about sharing her knowledge about Indigenous culture with all ages through her art pieces and workshops.

Lara created the incredible image of the Burrumering and joined Campus Life in 2020 to create the three large Burrumering’s at the Sport and Aquatic centre.

Dylan Barnes

(they/them)

Dylan is a proud Wiradjuri person with cultural connections to the Ngardi People of East Arnhem Land and the Darkinjung People of the Central Coast. Dylan was born and raised near Woy Woy on the Central Coast but now lives on campus at Macquarie University.

They are going into their third year of a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Indigenous Studies and Politics where they aspire to do postgraduate research in the field of Indigenous Queer Studies.