Residents of the Churchill Crescent housing complex have been joined this morning by school students and community members at the unveiling of the new murals that decorate the properties 20-metre long wooden fence.
The large artwork features a long Rainbow Serpent in search of water, the words "Love Ya Mother... Respect Ya Father... Ride Wit' Ya Sistas, Roll Wit' Ya Brothers...", and a rainbow lorikeet.
Newcastle based placemaking firm UP&UP assisted Compass Housing in facilitating the project that was funded through the NSW Government's Social Housing Community Improvement Fund (SHCIF).
Compass's chief operating officer, Lisa Tierney, says the community wanted bright and positive art that represents the local community.
Ms. Tierney thanked the complex's tenants, Maitland/Dungog youth development officer Rhys Callaghan, Compass' local staff, volunteers as well as students and staff from Rutherford High School, Telarah Public School, and Rutherford Public School for their input into the murals' design and their ideas to improve the neighbourhood.
"The wall was heavily tagged with illegal graffiti," Ms Tierney said.
"We wanted to create eye-catching artworks that are welcoming for tenants and the broader community," she said.
Compass will complete another seven projects, including this one, by the first half of 2019 using $250,000 awarded under the SHCIF.
"We are using the Governments' Social Housing Community Improvement Fund to improve amenities for our tenants which also benefits the community."
Compass Housing is a Hunter-based, not for profit, community housing provider.
