Violet's art takes pride of place at Command Centre

A remarkable work of art designed by proud Yamatji woman and Aboriginal mental health advocate Violet Evans is now featured prominently throughout the WA Country Health Service Command Centre in the heart of Perth.

Ms Evans made the trip from Geraldton recently to cut the ribbon on a newly installed plaque commemorating the artwork, which also adorns the uniform worn by Command Centre staff.

The artwork was originally developed for the WA Country Health Service Cultural Governance Framework, with a photo of the design (painted on Violet’s hand by renowned Yamatji artist Nicki Dickerson) featured on the front page.

Violet, who is WA Country Health Service’s Aboriginal Mental Health Coordinator for the Midwest, said it was a huge honour.

“I was overwhelmed that they chose my artwork; that just blew me away,” she said.

“It’s such a little thing (the artwork), but from little things, big things grow.”

The artwork symbolises WA Country Health Service staff working together as one to ensure access and equity for those living and working throughout country WA.

Violet said the blue semi circles represented each of WA’s seven regions, with the WA Country Health Service Central Office team represented by the brown colouring.

“It gives meaning for the Command Centre, because these guys work across rural and remote country—we need that collaboration,” she said.

“The original photo was taken in front of the Geraldton foreshore—the ocean is in the background—so it was taken on-country as well.”

The Command Centre is a 24/7 virtual clinical hub that provides country doctors, nurses and midwives with access a range of clinical expertise, as well as facilitating and coordinating transport to and from country and metropolitan hospitals for country patients.

Command Centre Director Mel Goode said Violet’s artwork helped give staff a shared sense of identity.

“I thought it was really important we had something that brought us all together, across WA Country Health Service, and helped us to feel like one team,” Ms Goode said.

“I wanted something that really captured what we stood for.

“Violet’s picture really spoke to me, and I think the meaning of it is really beautiful.”