Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork brings community together

Chris Gray is a veteran and proud Bunjalung man and worked alongside current and ex-serving Defence Force members, family members, and Mates4Mates staff to create a beautiful piece of art that will hang proudly inside the Mates4Mates Townsville centre which is located on the land of the Bindal and Wulgurukaba peoples.  

Watch Chris and Mates4Mates Liaison Officer, Coco Quirke, speak about the artwork here in this video. 

“I didn’t want to overdo this piece with my style of art in particular because it is a lot about the veterans and people who took part in this art piece, and I wanted it to be centred around them,” Mr Gray said. 

“The moment the painting was unveiled, everything was quiet, and everyone was able to sit there and view the art piece, you could feel the connection between everyone and also the connection with the art piece.” 

Mates4Mates Townsville Liaison Officer, Coco Quirke said when he came up with the idea to do a collaborative art piece between the community and Chris, he knew he wanted to share an incredible culture with veterans and families. 

“When that painting got unveiled, I knew in my heart that it’d be special, but I didn’t think it would be that special,” Coco said. 

“I see how much work went into it from all the Mates and the staff that came together, and it is a true representation of what Mates4Mates is for me.” 

With ‘U’ shapes repeated throughout the piece to represent families or ‘yarning circles’, Samoan fale family huts, Torres Strait Totems, and even a ‘£10’ to represent the last of the ‘ten-pound poms’, the artwork brings together everyone in the community. 

Mates4Mates Regional Manager North Queensland, Marcia Morgan said that Chris has done a wonderful job capturing the story of mateship and camaraderie in his painting. 

“Opportunities like this are about uniting our community in mateship through greater education and understand of Indigenous culture and spirit,” Marcia said. 

“Mates4Mates is committed to supporting all veterans and families; our team is here to welcome anyone who is in need of support.” 

Mates4Mates would like to thank our Townsville Liaison Officer, Coco Quirke who was the mastermind behind the opportunity to create this collaborative art; Chris Gray for his wonderful guidance and welcoming of the Mates4Mates community to learn more about Aboriginal culture; and all the incredible veterans, family members, and Mates4Mates staff involved in the creation of this magnificent artwork.  

Mates4Mates Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan through Reconciliation Australia guides our reconciliation journey across the organisation, ensuring recognition of Indigenous veterans and families who sadly did not receive that same respect in the past.    

For more information on how Mates4Mates can support all veterans and families impacted by service, call us on 1300 4 MATES (62 837) for a confidential chat.