Australian landscape mural inspires positive interaction

8 January 2009

West Coast TAFE students have unveiled the last of four large colourful murals at the WA Police Academy in Joondalup as part of a three-year project to facilitate positive interaction between youth and police recruits.

During the on-site painting project at the Academy, students from West Coast TAFE’s Gaining Access to Training & Employment (GATE) program were able to explore their creativity, learn new skills such as the use of perspective, colour theory and light and shade; whilst improving their employability skills to include working in a team and occupational health and safety.

They were also exposed to police training activities and had the chance to chat with police recruits about the job they were training for.

Since its inception in 2006 by the then Police Academy Principal Alf Fordham and West Coast TAFE Director, Tegan Roberts, the “Shifting Perspectives Mural Project”, has seen students create four large murals within the Academy grounds.

A triptych about Community Policing in the Physical Education Building; a Trompe L’oeil in the Learning Centre; a Street Art-style mural of the Dreamtime myth of the Waugal Waugal at the Scenario Village and now, a North Western Australian Landscape in the International visitors accommodation block can be seen and enjoyed daily by police recruits who can recognise and appreciate the time, effort and expression displayed by each of the student artists.

“There is still a perception among some young people, the presence of police meant trouble and some among the police fraternity may have considered young people to be a nuisance,” said WA Police Academy’s Nigel D’Cruz.

“This project was designed to dissolve the preconceptions that each group harboured about each other and we at the WA Police Academy believe this has been achieved.

“Through programs such as GATE, the WA Police look forward to continuing ‘shift perspectives’ between police and youth.”

West Coast TAFE’s GATE program enables students to extend their knowledge and skills in communication, numeracy, technology, study skills, professional development and career development.  It also provides opportunity for young people to create their own networks for social and employment aspects, and empowers them to become positively involved in the community.

 “As a result of this project, the perceptions held between youth and police recruits have changed.  Our students don’t just see a police uniform now, they see a person,” said Youth Art Lecturer and co-designer of the murals, Emma Margetts.