THE culmination of 12 months of hardwork came to fruition today with the launch of the Painting Country, Mapping the Macleay art and film project at Melville High School.
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The project features personal stories of local indigenous elders which were digitally recorded and shown to 11 schools throughout the Macleay. The school students, with the help of local artists Uncle Richard Campbell, Uncle Milton Budge, Aunty Esther Quinlin and Elwyn Toby then developed their interpretations of the stories into paintings to form a series of murals.
The stories were also compiled into an hour long documentary which shows the beauty of the Macleay Valley, elders telling their stories and school children doing the paintings in classrooms.
A large audience consisting of students, teachers, elders, residents and Kempsey Shire mayor Liz Campbell attended the launch of the murals and the film at Melville High School's hall this morning.
As part of the launch, the audience was treated to traditional dance, a live performance by band Still Thinking and a special video message from professional rugby league player Greg Inglis who was born in Kempsey.
Mr Inglis congratulated those behind the project especially the students saying they should be proud of their "awesome paintings."
One of the facilitators behind it all, Uncle Bob Smith, said he was thrilled with the final outcome.
"Thankyou to our elders - for their generosity, giving their stories and sharing their life experience. We wouldn't have the product if it wasn't for them. I'd also like to acknowledge the support of Melville High School and Kempsey Council and all of the people who worked very hard behind the scenes."