Harvey police station hangs up Indigenous art with aim of ‘breaking down barriers’

Harvey police station is painting its way to better community connection after commissioning an up-and-coming Noongar elder to create an artwork for the station’s lobby. Hoping to “break down barriers” between the police and Harvey’s Indigenous community, the work is aimed at encouraging both police officers and community members to learn more about Country. Artist Ninnette Comito said the piece — which is part of her journey to becoming an elder — is a representation of the community, and the families within it, wanting to come together. “It’s about families coming together, living off the land, hunting and represents us living along the water as well, it shows how we (Harvey’s Indigenous community) have survived off the land and the significance of our strength, our history,” she said. “The police used to represent someone that you run from, but not anymore ... we need to break that stigma between the Aboriginal people and the police so we can communicate and work together.” Ms Comito said it was good to see the artwork hanging in the station and she was happy to be able to share her culture and knowledge, with ambitions to do “a lot” more for the community. “I was a bit chuffed when they asked me to paint it, but it is nice to have the painting here,” she said. “This is part of my journey (to becoming an elder).” Harvey police station officer-in-charge Sergeant Scott Gillis said he had done a lot of work to bring the local police and Noonger people closer together. “I have been trying to break down the barriers, and (Harvey elder Lesley Ugle) does a lot of work with the new officers that come to town,” he said. “When I found out about Ninnette’s artwork I thought it would be a good way for her to represent her family, culture and history in a painting that we can hang up here for all future police officers to see.” “I think it’s important that we have these types of things in all government buildings and police stations, there’s been a lot of barriers in times past and it’s time we get beyond that.”