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 Bollard Project     

Article written and photos taken by Berwick-Pakenham Gazette: â€‹

https://pakenhamgazette.com.au/news/2025-01-07/bollards-brighten-akoonah/

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Akoonah Park management launched the community bollard project, generously covering the costs of paint, five bollards, and other relevant supplies. They invited SECAN Art Gallery, a dynamic group working across diverse styles and mediums, who were willing to volunteer their talents.

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The group is made up of emerging, mid-career and professional artists living and/or working in Cardinia Shire and Casey. Janine Farinski, Sharon Key, Steve Osborne, Kalina Brew, Joan Moore, Kim Pitcher, Phil Nevin, Heather Merrett and Natalia Pedan divided into groups to work on the five bollards.

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With artistic freedom to choose their own theme, the SECAN members and artists collectively drew inspiration from the park’s flora and fauna. After spending 50 hours of volunteer work, Janine Farinski and Sharon Key were the first to complete their bollards.Their bollard captures the park’s lively flora and fauna with a vibrant beehive, buzzing bees, dandelion flowers, large lizards, and smaller creatures.

Bollard 1 Lizard.png
Bollard 2 Trees.png
Bollard 4 Hiding.png
Bollard 1 Janine and Sharon.png

For many artists, the main challenge was the summer weather, as the heat and wind quickly dried the paint, making it difficult to paint outdoors.
 

“It was physically hard work to do it because to stand there in the glare and the sun. But it was very rewarding. I think just helping to beautify the park was our goal,” Janine said.

The artist saw the project as a chance to promote both the gallery and the park, as well as showcase their own talent.
 

“It’s a brilliant park, there’s always people there. I’ve never seen a park that’s so well used, and it seems to be really well respected. So when we were asked to volunteer, I thought it would be a great opportunity to publicise the gallery, especially since we’re right at the back of Akoonah Park, and some people don’t even know we’re there, despite being established for years.“
 

“As we were painting, every walker came over to say hello, even though our area was a bit off the track. They all loved the theme, enjoyed watching the progress, and many realised we were SECAN artists. They asked about our connection to the park and we explained that Akoonah Park had purposefully placed the bollards there and repurposed them.“
 

“Every single person has been really supportive, really interested, very enthusiastic. There were mum’s showing little kids the lizards on the bottom and the dog walkers came and the dogs even sat and watched.”

© 2024 - Secan Inc. Gate 6 Gallery + Studio 6 Cardinia St Akoonah Park Berwick 3806 VIC

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