Seventeen once-drab letterbox and wheelie bin enclosures now burst with bold murals celebrating Australia’s unique plants and wildlife.
Spotting the grey structures as an eyesore, Superintendent Hughes came up with the idea of inviting residents to design and paint the pieces themselves.
“We were quite clear with the design brief that we wanted to represent Australia’s natural plants and animals. It’s taken more time and thrown up more challenges than initially thought, but the results have surpassed expectations,” he said.
As Art tutor Grace Yong explained, the process of translating sketches onto the enclosures is more complex than it might seem.
“How do you get someone who’s never done any designing or drawing to create something that makes sense and looks good on a letterbox?” she said.
“We started with photographs that residents could trace and then scale up for the enclosures. We also considered backgrounds, foregrounds and the colours that would work best.”
For some participants, the project was a first creative experience in years.
One resident said, “It’s therapeutic and a great learning experience. It’s also very rewarding because the children run from one letterbox to another, learning about the animals and plants they see.”
Art tutor Grace said most participants start out saying they “can’t even draw a stick man,” but gain confidence as they progress.
“My goal is to plant a seed that encourages them to try something new, build resilience, and maybe even pursue further training and education,” she said.
Superintendent Hughes said the project has also fostered pride, connection, and community.
“Working together, learning new skills, and creating something they’re proud of boosts self-esteem, teamwork, and a sense of purpose — all vital steps in supporting rehabilitation and life after Boronia.”
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