Residents may have already spotted the first of a series of artworks popping up on the side of local roads recently as a number of nbn™ network nodes have been wrapped in striking indigenous designs.

Council’s Director of Connected Communities, Julie Vaughan said the designs were created under the Maliga program in collaboration with local schools across the Coast - Kincumber Public, Kincumber HS, Wyong HS, Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College (both The Entrance and Berkeley Vale Campuses) and Wadalba Community School.

“This inclusive project brings together the rich tapestry of our community and supports reconciliation through the celebration of Aboriginal arts and culture,” Ms Vaughan said.

“These designs truly display the meaning of Maliga which is to ‘shine’ in Darkinjung language and they certainly take pride of place in our neighbourhoods. We are proud to run this creative platform for Indigenous children and young people across the Central Coast to share visual stories based around cultural identity and connection to place."

The installation of the place-based Indigenous artworks is a joint initiative of Central Coast Council and nbn™ and an artistic collaboration with the community.

A total of seven nbn™ node cabinets across the suburbs of Kincumber, Wyong, Wadalba and Bateau Bay now showcase the four designs which include written descriptions to engage the passing community with the artworks story and meaning.

Mayor Lisa Matthews said this project celebrates our region’s indigenous culture and as an arts and culture program, the nbn™ nodes provide a unique and creative way for us to showcase the Maliga artworks.

“This project has provided the opportunity to further connect the community with the Maliga program, particularly considering many components of this year’s program were cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions,” Mayor Matthews said.

“I congratulate the artists and school children involved in the program and thank nbn for the funding which has allowed this creative endeavour for our community.”

Head of nbn NSW ACT, Matt Frodsham said it was a truly rewarding experience and something the nbn team were proud to be a part of.

“It is great to see the positive result and impact of this collaboration between the Central Coast Council and nbn. This initiative was a wonderful opportunity to create artwork that reflects the children’s connection to the local area and their heritage and turn these essential network components into works of art. Our node cabinets provided a canvas and the artworks share wonderful cultural stories across the community,” Mr Frodsham said.

Spot some node art around the coast:

• Kincumber, Joalah Rd and Bungoona Rd
• Wyong, Alison Rd and Cutler Drive
• Wadalba, Clydesdale St
• Bateau Bay, Shelley Beach Rd and Bateau Bay Rd.