Local children gather to contribute to new ‘courage to change’ mural at Margaret River skatepark.

Margaret River skatepark has been injected with a new lease of life in the shape of a bold, bright and colourful community mural. The project is part of the Margaret River Youth Advisory Council’s “Drug Aware Loud and Proud” campaign for youth week. Set up last Monday with a variety of paints and brushes, children were invited to join the project and contribute to the painting. Shire of Margaret River Community Development trainee James Ransley said nearly 30 kids participated. Designed by YAC kids, the mural is based on the theme “courage to change” exploring our journey of growth and resilience throughout our daily lives. Mr Ransley said it was a theme the children identified as one that could be related to by all the community. “We live in a changing world, things are changing all the time so it’s about getting the courage to change and especially bringing some more colour to it as well,” he said. “Like it’s a colourful area, but also bringing different sort of vibes from different places, so it’s bringing all those people and stories together.” The final design was drawn-up by local artist Stuart McMillan who also looked to incorporate Indigenous flora and fauna into the design along with a lively “pop-art” colour scheme. “Looking at . . . six seasons, Indigenous seasons — obviously the bushfire that has just happened in Granite, so we’re talking about resilient nature,” he said. “it’s also that fact of life, as humans, we’re constantly changing and growing. “I’ve also tried to weave, flora and fauna themes into the other sections of the mural because we’re kind of looking at nature and the world around us in the South West and how we can kind of nurture it, and be nurtured by it.”