Refugee mural paints a healthy picture at Mater

A team including Milperra High School, the Queensland Integrated Refugee Community Health Centre (QIRCH ), Mater Child and Youth Mental Health Service and Mater International Mission Outreach Project have worked together to produce a unique mural created by refugee children from Sudan, Afghanistan, Libya and Sierra Leone.

The mural was painted by students from Milperra High School, an intensive English language school for children from refugee and immigrant backgrounds, and depicts the transition from refugee camp to Brisbane, at the QIRCH clinic.

According to Kate Ramsay, Mater Community Liaison & Mission Outreach Coordinator, the mural tells the story of the students' journey from their home countries, to refugee camps and finally to their present life in Australia.

“The three sections of the mural which represent past, present and future, are linked by the sun, which is the same in every country,” says Kate Ramsay.

“The whole concept of the mural was conceived after witnessing a young refugee seeing and eating a pineapple for the first time.”

“It might seem like a strange start, but the fact that this young person had never seen or eaten a pineapple—a Queensland cultural icon—really highlighted the new experiences, small and large, that refugees face when arriving in Australia,” she said.

“Not only has the project allowed the students to express their feelings and experiences through art, but the contact with Mater Child and Youth Mental Health Service team will give the students more confidence about accessing mental health support in the future, if necessary.”

“Through the QIRCH Clinic at Mater, and the Milperra School, we've seen first-hand how many people from refugee backgrounds are affected by rapid change, chaos and loss,” says Ms Ramsay.

“Adolescent refugees can be impacted by traumatic experiences in their home countries, the refugee journey itself and adjustment to life in Australia.”

“We hope through this joint project that we have provided these young refugees with a positive therapeutic experience, as well as a greater understanding of the support available through services like Mater Child and Youth Mental Health Service.”