In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia in 2021, Kevin Bynder, a Whadjuk-Yuet-Ballardong artist, was commissioned to create a visual representation of the unification of Catholic schools across our vast State through one education system.
This artwork was recreated in stained glass by Kim Fitzpatrick and installed in the entrance of the Catholic Education Office in Leederville, where it speaks to the story of Catholic education in Western Australia with staff and visitors.
The painting represents the story of Catholic Education Western Australia from 1971 when the Bishops of the dioceses of Broome, Geraldton and Bunbury and the Archbishop of Perth decided to form one system under the Catholic Education Commission of Western Australia, serving the needs of children in Catholic Education across the State.
The top of the painting reflects Catholic Education prior to 1971. The four large circles represent the four dioceses – the burnt red earth of the Kimberley, the vast plains of the Geraldton region, the green forest regions of Bunbury and the coastal area of Perth. At this time, Catholic schools operated independently of each other.
To portray the joining of the 4 dioceses in 1971, the blue and white circles represent the Leederville Office, the yellow and brown circles the Geraldton Office, the green and blue circles the Bunbury Office and the brown and cream circles the Broome Office.
In the 1980s, the Catholic Education Office in Leederville was blessed and opened by St John Paul II, represented by the Pope’s mitre in the imagery. The four circles shown are connected by means of a cream line flowing from the Pope’s mitre representing our belonging and commitment to our Catholic faith.
The decade of the 1990s is represented by the growth of the arts within Catholic Education and the thousands of children who have been involved with the Catholic Performing Arts Festival and Angelico Art Exhibition.
In the 2000s, Catholic schools continued to promote Christian-service learning opportunities for their students, represented here by hearts that are touched by Christian charity and love. Catholic Education provides opportunities for children and young people to respond to Jesus’ call to serve.
During the 2010s, Catholic Education was a system caring for over 75,000 students from many backgrounds and experiences, including those with disabilities whose lives are lived at the margins. It has a strong commitment to work with Aboriginal people in providing educational opportunities for Aboriginal children.
The bottom of the painting shows the Wagyl, the mythical serpent of the Noongar people, whose head broke
through the land near Ruislip Street, West Leederville to form the space now occupied by Lake Monger. The Catholic Education Office sits on a hill of significance. Countless generations of the Whadjuk people lived and hunted in harmony with the land supported by the rich water source of Lake Kalup (Lake Monger). The Catholic Education Office is a beacon to students, parents and staff.