IT wasn’t just money that was raised for the Mount Isa Hospital at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree event last weekend.
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Before the event the Mayor approached the Ngukuthati Men's Shed to ask whether they could create something for the event.
Up stepped local Waluwara artist and Men’s Shed member Troy Wilde who accepted the challenge and did a painting which was formally donated to the Children’s Ward this week.
The original painting, an acrylic on canvas named “New born” will take now pride of place in the hospital’s children’s ward.
The artwork will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity which explains the painting.
Mr Wilde said his painting is divided into four parts each of which represents one of the four stages of the journey of childhood.
“The tail of the rainbow serpent in the top left represents newborns and the belly in the top right represents babyhood,” Mr Wilde said.
“Toddlers are represented by the serpent’s ribs in the bottom right, and in the bottom left, the head of the rainbow serpent represents independent young children starting to make their own way in the world.”
Mr Wilde said family came first to his people.
“Everyone must make sure children know their family story and their history,” he said.
“Every child must know their roots and their people.”
Mr Wilde said it took two weeks to get the painting from concept to completion.
“I tried to keep it as simple as I could,” he said.
The painting was on display at the Mayor’s Christmas Tree event in the Civic Centre last weekend.
Mayor Joyce McCulloch and North West Hospital and Health Service chief executive officer Lisa Davies Jones were on hand at the hospital with nurses from the children’s ward on Tuesday to accept the painting and the mayor and CEO both thanked Mr Wilde for his work.
Cr McCulloch said they were still calculating how much was raised from the night, which she hoped would be annual event to complement the Ronald McDonald House ball.
The aim was to raise money for equipment for the children’s ward.