Saltfleet Street History Wall

Description:

The Saltfleet Street History Wall – spreads across a street-facing car park retaining wall and was originally designed by John Nowland Design and installed during a redevelopment of the Witton Centre in 2011–12. At the time, the redevelopment included a range of Kaurna public art elements that were delivered in consultation with Kaurna Traditional Owners and remain in place today. The history wall had focused on European heritage, so started with the arrival of tall ships in 1802 – something the community told the council they wanted to see changed.

The timeline’s new additions better reflect our shared history, recognising that Kaurna people have inhabited this area for more than 65,000 years and continue to do so, and that European heritage is celebrated in the context of this long and ongoing connection to Country.

To incorporate Kaurna elements into the existing history wall, Mantirri Design was selected via the City of Onkaparinga’s Public Art Framework to do so. As the space is adjacent the Onkaparinga River/Ngangkipari (Kaurna for Women’s River). It was culturally appropriate for Mantirri Design to engage with senior Kaurna women to inform the design and its statements and then with council for a seamless integration.

The reworked historical timeline is one of the latest in a range of public artworks recently completed or underway along the Mid Coast, most of which were funded by the state government.