August 14th, 2025Heart of the School

Grade five and six students from Newlyn and Hepburn primary schools took part in the Daylesford College-led, the Heart of the School Art Mural project last Wednesday at the Hepburn Primary School Campus.
With Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and visual artist, Jenna Oldaker of Murrup Art, Ballarat, the students participated in a two-hour painting workshop, creating artworks and joining in discussions around aboriginal culture and art.

Sharing her connection to country, Jenna inspired each student to develop their own individual canvases and ideas to contribute to the final design of the Heart of the School Art Mural. This ambitious work will be installed at Daylesford College at the entrance to its Wellbeing Centre. An official unveiling with representatives from each primary school will take place later in the school year.
Jenna creates works under the name Murrup Art – murrup being the Wadawurrung word for spirit, which is fitting as Jenna’s art comes from the sacred tradition of storytelling told by her ancestors and their spirits. And while the prospect of executing an expansive public art piece may be daunting to some people, it is all part of a day’s work for Jenna Oldaker.
“It’s just part of the fun,” Jenna says. “I do all forms of art from custom commissions to murals of all sizes and it has been such a privilege to go to these smaller schools and get them involved in the creation of a large piece. It is great to have their input and for them to have that ownership over the final finished work.”
The project is supported by The Daylesford Foundation, Ballarat Community Health through its School Focused Youth Service, the Department of Education and Training’s Koorie Engagement support officers and Hepburn Shire Council.
The day’s workshop, which forms part of Hepburn Primary’s grade five and six transition program at Daylesford College, incorporated a mixture of culture, yarning and art activity to encourage both Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to build knowledge and pride in Aboriginal culture through art and storytelling.
Sessions will also be held at other primary schools including Creswick and Creswick North, Daylesford and Yandoit, Trentham, Bullarto, Clunes and the Dharma School.
“The main idea is to help the students facilitate their own stories,” says Jenna. “I want them to get their inspiration from the Dja Dja Wurrung country we are on. I want them to be inspired by these things that surround them everyday, the things that make this part of our country so beautiful and put that into their artworks. All these ideas and inspiration can then create the final piece: The Big Mural.”
Daylesford College principal Steve MacPhail said the college was committed to celebrating connection to community, culture and Country. “We actively include First Nations voices in our teaching and learning, ensuring that the histories, cultures and perspectives of First Nations peoples are shared authentically and respectfully. Our continued partnership with The Daylesford Foundation and SFYS allows us to have a wider reach in strengthening our relationships with our surrounding primary schools, while lifting the visibility and vibrancy of culture at Daylesford College. The Heart of the School project is a fine example of this in action.”
Words: Tony Sawrey | Images: Contributed