bamal, badu wiyanga Nura Clay, water Mother Country

About the artwork

At Oakdale West Industrial Estate, we have installed 650 metres of murals running along the western side of buildings 4A, 4B and 4C.

This artwork tells the story of Dharug Ngura (Country), focusing on Ropes Creek, a matriarchal waterway of the Dharug people. It highlights the sacred and interconnected elements of bamal (clay), badu (water), and wiyanga (mother), which sustain the fertile grounds of the Cumberland Plain, a landscape rich in history and cultural significance.

The mural fosters a deeper connection with local waterways, recognising them as vital sources of life and a reminder of our shared responsibility to care for and nurture Country. By honouring Country as kin, it reinforces the reciprocal relationship: when we care for Country, she will care for us.

Incorporating the earthy tones of clay and silcrete, unique to Dharug Country, the mural gives the river a voice. It highlights the environmental benefits of Goodman’s water-sensitive urban design, which filters the estate’s water before it reaches the sacred waterways. Through a palette of silcrete clay, Colorbond tones, and deep navy hues of the night sky, the mural narrates the story of fertile lands shaped by care for Country—both before and after colonial agriculture—preserving the unique and precious Cumberland Plain Woodland of Dharug Ngura.