Standing 41 metres tall on the side of the Holiday Inn in Werribee, Mooroop Yarkeen by Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta and Wemba Wemba artist Tommy Day III (Jirri Jirri) became the largest Indigenous mural in Australia when it was completed in 2023. Completed just one month after the 2023 referendum on Indigenous recognition, this monumental mural stands as a bold and unifying piece during a time of national reflection, reclaiming space for culture, story, and connection on a scale rarely seen in urban infrastructure.
Commissioned by Wyndham City Council following extensive consultation with Bunurong Traditional Owners and local Indigenous communities, Tommys artwork Mooroop Yarkeen, translating to “Spirit Dreaming”, celebrates the life of the Werribee River and incorporates layered river currents, native flora and fauna, and traditional diamond motifs, weaving together past, present, and future.
“The mural is vibrant, vivid, rich in texture and references to the Wirribi Yaluk (Werribee River), sandhills and Basalt plains, welcoming gum leaves, community coming together in unity, dreaming, and Bunjil’s flight.” Tommy Day III
Tommy often speaks on how his people have been scarring the land since their existence, and how, for him, painting his art on buildings represents a modern way of continuing that tradition of scarring the land.
The Challenge: High-Impact Art on a High-Risk Site
Bringing Mooroop Yarkeen to life required navigating complex challenges unique to projects of this scale and significance:
- Extreme Heights: Daily work was carried out at 45 metres high on one of Australia's highest boom lifts, with constant monitoring of wind and weather conditions to maintain site safety.
- Operational Oversight: Managing site safety, coordinating the high-access team, and overseeing the day-to-day logistics on a challenging site.
- Complex Logistics: Site access needed to be carefully managed within an operational car park, requiring complete closure and the coordination of alternative public parking.
- Extensive Permitting: The project involved securing specialised permits for high-access work, detailed OH&S planning, and strict compliance with council regulations.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Regular consultation with Wurundjeri and Bunurong Traditional Owners ensured cultural protocols were upheld throughout the process.
- Tight Timeframe: Thanks to the expert installation team provided by Wall Lords, Tommy was assisted throughout the installation process resulting in the mural being installed in just 17 days—balancing speed with uncompromised quality. Special thanks to Conrad Bizjak, Damien Mitchell and Tayla Broekman.
- Creative Integrity: Overseeing the technical delivery of a highly detailed design at massive scale, ensuring the final artwork honoured Tommy's vision.
A Legacy Visible for Miles
Mooroop Yarkeen became a landmark that could be seen from suburbs away. But beyond its physical presence, the mural stands as a symbol of unity, culture, and place—honouring thousands of years of history while shaping the identity of Wyndham for years to come. The project was later recognised with the Maggolee Award for its outstanding commitment to community engagement and cultural consultation.
Mooroop Yarkeen stands as a groundbreaking achievement—the largest Indigenous mural in Australia and a powerful testament to what’s possible when Traditional Owners, artists, council, and project teams come together with a shared vision. This project broke new ground not just in scale but in the way it honoured Country, culture, and community within the urban landscape.
By supporting Tommy Day to bring his design to life on such a monumental canvas, Wyndham gained more than a mural—it gained a cultural landmark that acknowledges the deep, ongoing connection of First Nations people to this place. At Mamam, we are proud to have played a role in delivering this historic work, ensuring that every detail—from cultural protocols to technical execution—was handled with care, respect, and excellence.
MAMAM is an Australian award-winning Mural and Urban Art Project Management Agency, dedicated to transforming spaces through thoughtful and impactful public art. We specialise in large-scale projects that require expert coordination—handling everything from artist curation and creative direction to logistics, permits, and OH&S compliance.
We believe in creating the right art for the right space, seamlessly integrating public art into the urban fabric while ensuring a smooth and efficient process for both clients and artists.
Our services include:
- Project Management
- Artist & Talent Management
- Urban Art Consultation
Based in Melbourne and operating nationwide, we collaborate with councils, developers, and brands to bring visionary projects to life.
Got a project in mind? Let’s make it happen.
Contact us at contact@mamam.co