• PHOTO: Aboriginal Health worker and artist Kirbie Ewers (left, with colleagues from Dubbo Aboriginal Medical Service) can now pass her artworks on the highway.
By MARNIE RYAN
FORMER Coonamble resident, Kirbie Ewers has taken traditional art into her own hands by designing branded work cars for the Coonamble, Gilgandra and Dubbo Aboriginal Medical Health Services.
Twenty four year old Kirbie grew up in Coonamble where she attended Coonamble High School.
She embarked on a career in health after securing a traineeship with the Aboriginal Health Services.
She currently works as an Aboriginal Health Practitioner at the Dubbo Regional Aboriginal Health Service.
She works closely with clients, completing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments and supporting clients at appointments. Her interest in art only blossomed in recent years.
“Funnily enough, my passion for Aboriginal art began just before the COVID-19 lockdown,” she said.
“Before COVID-19 hit hard I had just began working in Dubbo. Being relatively new I didn’t have too many jobs to do and we had a pregnancy belly cast in the office from an employer.
“They asked if I wanted to paint it, and I wasn’t sure if I would be any good at it.
“As it turns out I had an eye for it and enjoyed it. I was definitely thrown into it, but I haven’t looked back since.”
Lately Kirbie has recently placed the belly castings aside, and moved on to vehicle design.
“The AMS approach me for all sorts of art and design now. I have been apart of designing health check shirts and now more recently work vehicles,” she said.
“The artwork was inspired by my connection to the three Aboriginal Health Services – Coonamble, Gilgandra and Dubbo.
“I was born and raised on Wailwan/ Gamilaraay country (Coonamble) where I started my working career with Coonamble Aboriginal Health Service.
“I currently live and work on Wiradjuri country where I now work for the Dubbo Regional Aboriginal Health Service.
“Gilgandra connects me from Wailwan/ Gamilaraay country to Wiradjuri country.”
The artwork took over three weeks to design.
“I wanted to make sure I incorporated all three services into one design. I took inspiration from colours, landscapes and Indigenous traditions that made me think of each town,” Kirbie said.
“The top left circle in the artwork represents the city of Dubbo, while the middle is the town of Gilgandra and Coonamble is represented in the bottom right circle.
“They are connected by a fine line symbolising the Castlereagh River, whose catchment joins all three areas.
“Each location is also represented through their respective animals totem. The ‘E’ symbol near the circle of Dubbo is representative of a possum, while Gilgandra’s is the kangaroo footprint, and an emu symbol can be seen at Coonamble. The green and brown paint represented the colours of the lands,” she said.
Kirbie says the cars will likely be seen travelling across the Western Plains.
“If you see any of the vehicles with my design, make sure you give them a friendly wave and do not forget to book an appointment at your local AMS.”