Students add colour to Portland pump station

15 December 2015

The 2015 school year has drawn to a colourful close in Portland with a vibrant makeover for Wannon Water’s Percy Street sewer pump station.

Wannon Water’s fourth community mural, installed on the exterior of the pump station, was officially launched by Chair Jacinta Ermacora earlier today.

The mural was designed and painted by students from Portland North Primary School and depicts whales, drinking water, rainwater tanks, animal life and the environment.

Ms Ermacora said the mural was a great way for the students to build on the water awareness they developed after participating in the National Water Week poster competition in October.

“This project really got the young artists thinking about how water and sewerage services are part of their everyday lives and the importance of protecting our precious water resources,” Ms Ermacora said.

“This year National Water Week focused on “water innovation” and the students showed great creativity in highlighting the many uses for water in our community and how to look after our environment.
 
“The mural has given the pump station’s ageing exterior a welcome makeover and is a colourful addition to the Percy Street recreational area.”

Portland North Primary School teacher Mel Holtz welcomed the opportunity for the students to work collaboratively with Wannon Water.

“We were thrilled to work on a project that combined art and water literacy but also made the students think about audience, purpose and contributing to their community,” Ms Holtz said.

“We drew inspiration from the students’ National Water Week posters and brainstormed other ideas with our art classes and school garden team to come up with the final design.

“The students then worked together to paint the mural, and we’re delighted that the final product will be on display in our community for many years to come.”

At today’s launch the students were congratulated by Ms Ermacora over a healthy fruit snack before participating in water education activities with Wannon Water Education Officer Catherine Grist, who coordinated the mural project.

The artwork is Wannon Water’s first community mural in Portland, with previous examples installed on pump stations in Warrnambool and Port Fairy.

For more information about the community mural program, visit www.wannonwater.com.au/education.