• Charles Sturt adds four new paramedicine simulation ambulance vehicles to its fleet, with each vehicle displaying Indigenous art designs created by a University alumna

Charles Sturt University’s new paramedicine simulation ambulance vehicles have been transformed to feature Indigenous artwork created by a member of the University’s alumni.

The four new vehicles will be used to train the University’s paramedicine students in Bathurst and Port Macquarie.

The vehicles will display artwork designed by Ms Melissa Streater, an Indigenous graphic designer and a graduate of Charles Sturt’s Bachelor of Creative Arts and Design (Graphic Design).

Ms Streater was approached by the University’s School of Biomedical Sciences to design artwork for the vehicles, which would reflect the inclusive and culturally-rich communities Charles Sturt is based in.

“The premise of the artwork for the paramedicine simulation vehicles is to depict the lands on which Charles Sturt University in Port Macquarie and in Bathurst lay,” Ms Streater said.

“I felt I was in a unique position to deliver this artwork as I am a graduate of Charles Sturt University, I was born, raised, and currently reside and study on Birpai land, and my Aboriginal ancestry is Wiradjuri.

“My ancestral connection and physicality tie me to both lands.”

To support Ms Streater during the initial design phase, the School of Communication and Creative Industries created an online and print survey open to the University’s staff and students asking what they wanted to see on the vehicle, what they believe Charles Sturt stands for and what the regions mean to them.

“It was evident from the survey results that the majority of students and staff in both country and coastal campuses had strong ties to the land,” Ms Streater said.

“The love of ocean, rivers and mountains were high priorities to be displayed on the vehicles. Participants saw the land as part of their identity.”

After reviewing the survey’s findings, Ms Streater said she decided to use the contemporary Aboriginal art style, commonly referred to as dot painting.

“Instead of traditional method of painting, I created a digital artwork, using skills learned as a Charles Sturt University Graphic Design student,” she said.

“The concept I decided on was to create a topographical representation of both the Port Macquarie and Bathurst areas.

“The artwork I designed depicts the ocean, the sand, the river systems, and the mountains of the country both campuses reside on.”

Lecturer in paramedicine Mr Adam Diamond said the new paramedicine simulation vehicles were a combined effort of Ms Streater, the University’s staff and students, the School of Biomedical Sciences and the School of Communication and Creative Industries.

“The acquisition of these new simulation vehicles presented a wonderful opportunity for the two schools to work together and to acknowledge the lands on which Charles Sturt University’s campuses are located,” Mr Diamond said.

“The idea to add artwork to the vehicles was to showcase not only a collaborative approach, but how proud and appreciative our staff and students are to be working and learning on Biripi land in Port Macquarie and Wiradyuri land in Bathurst

“Watching and listening to students explain the meaning of the design and how it came to be completed is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had.

“So many students have commented on the design and said things like ‘I voted for that approach’ and ‘how good is it to drive this through town’.

“The feedback we have received proves not only is the work and design appreciated, but that the pride in showcasing our relationships with communities is very much on the mind of our students and staff.

“The artwork on the vehicles looks fantastic, and we hope the artwork is a reminder that our university is an inclusive one where everyone is welcome.”

Charles Sturt would like to thank Macquarie Signs for the excellent job the company did printing the artwork for the vehicles.