Hidden Treasures Revealed at Fabrik
The Hidden Treasures project delivered a glorious community wide expression of the broad array of goodness of Lobethal. The project involved award-winning artist Claire Wildish working with all 240 primary school students of Lobethal and 60 of our seniors, and resulted in an exhibition at Fabrik where more than 500 visitors added their contributions, mapping the treasures – people, places, memories of life in Lobethal – and hopes for the future.
Initially arising as an extension of Fabrik’s Creative Recovery program, inviting the community to engage in artistic expression as a wellbeing tool, the project dug a little deeper into wellbeing practices by inviting the community to look closely at their town via a creative and positive lens.
So, what hidden treasures were revealed?
The past
Our community elders had fond memories of live music and dancing at Centennial Hall. Football got a mention, as did a love for sporting events such as the Grand Prix, the Soap Box Rally and being home to the cricket bat factory. As these memories were added to a large, fabric map, we were told that, most importantly, ‘having our stories listened to makes us feel valued’, and indeed the stories shared were precious gems.
What do people treasure about Lobethal now?
Our treasured places included cherished Bushland Park and it’s regeneration, our homes, sporting clubs, all of our local eateries and in particular the bakery’s donuts!
Our CFS and volunteers rose to the surface as treasures of our community and many commented on the community support and resilience after the bushfire. Others commented that they loved being in a town small enough for people to know your name (“small town, big heart”).
The future
Students wrote to themselves 50 years from now and encouraged their future selves to follow their dreams, to become a famous actress or sports person or to get their dream job at the Fodder shop.
There were suggestions on ways to actively celebrate, respect and recognise Aboriginal culture, by connecting to land and building relationships, sharing, listening and being positive role models.
Every shopfront occupied and thriving was another hope for the future along with sustainability ‘at the heart of our community and at the forefront of our future thinking’.
There was also support for celebrating and sharing Lobethal’s many accomplishments including developing a high quality interpretation trail to share the stories and spectacular history that makes Lobethal the treasure it is today.
This map incorporates many of the treasures shared across generations, added to Lobethal on Google Earth by artist Claire Wildish.
Hidden Treasures was funded by Wellbeing SA’s Strengthening Community Wellbeing After Bushfires Grant Program.