A WELCOMING TOUCH OF COLOUR

What some would see as just another carpark, only few would see as a blank canvas and Danielle RG is one of them.

Danielle is a community artist from Lalor Park, who has worked with the Lalor Park community for over a decade with her volunteer work with Common Groundz Community Café.

Common Groundz Community Café, is a not-for-profit social hub for the local community and a place of retreat for those in need.

Opened in 2008 as a direct response to growing social dislocation and disadvantage in Lalor Park, the Café, its staff and volunteers, committed to serving the needs of the local area by bridging community through engagements and events, and committing to projects and partnerships under its mission all while serving quality food and coffee. Through this, the Creative Groundz Studio was formed and the face of Blacktown City began to change.

Common Groundz Studio is a free community arts development program held twice a week at Lalor Park Community Centre and this is where you will find Danielle. When Danielle is not stitching together ‘Stitches Collection Therapy Dolls’ known as “Comfort Buddies” which are to be used as a tool for children and youth in therapy to open up dialog regarding abuse, mental illness and or other trauma, she can be found with a paint brush in hand, creating art.

As you drive through Lalor Park and surrounds you will most likely see one of Danielle’s murals. Over 12 years she has painted places such as the Lalor Park Library, local shopping precincts, café and schools. In her words she “beautifies the environment” with the help of the local schools and organisations, it has allowed her to help people in need by bringing art into their lives.

Since starting the relationship in 2008, the Blacktown Workers Club Group has had the privilege to support and donate over $170,000 to Danielle RG and the team at the Common Groundz and Creative Groundz Studio.

It was an easy decision to make, when Blacktown Workers Club Group wanted to bring a welcoming touch of colour to the Workers Blacktown carpark, to brighten the day for our patrons as it was the first thing they see when they arrive at our venue.

The partnership with Danielle was called into action, as who better to bring colour into what was a blank, dull canvas.

Danielle was quick to accept, and the works began and is set to continue over the next year.

In the stairwell leading to the Club, Danielle’s historical homage to the Blacktown Workers Club Group’s humble beginnings came to light as she painted a fun whimsical piece which included portraits of members from 1955 and paid homage to the “Old Tin Shed” – where the Blacktown Workers Club Group began. It also includes the lyrics to the Club Song from a record album that was launched in 1977 entitled ‘The Blacktown Song (The Old Tin Shed)’ which is all about mateship, standing proud and tall and raising a glass to where it all started.

The butterfly was painted to represent the transformation the BWCG has taken and will be taking in the future. From opening new restaurants, bars and renovating our venues to evolving into a bigger and better business for our members.

Danielle has also brought all the colours to our elevator shaft walls located in the middle of the carpark. The garden theme mural was inspired by the beautiful colours and designs of the Canna Lily plant. The striking colours on a grey background are magical. In this artwork you will see the Aboriginal symbol of a campsite/water hole which represents the Workers Club as a place to meet. The girl behind the flowers represents the First Nations custodians of Blacktown.

These murals are set to not only bring colour but to tell a story, to pay homage and to bring history into those who see them. Each and everyday we have over 1,500 patrons walk through our carpark, it is important to the Club that these people whether it be our members, guests or staff, see these paintings as it is a reminder of where it all began.

“A smile on our patrons faces as they walk into our Club is worth more to us than anything we can imagine; I believe these murals contribute in making that happen” – Kay Kelly, BWCG President.