As part of its recognition of the importance of our Indigenous communities and their inclusion in our team, UGLRL commissioned celebrated Indigenous artist Alfie Walker to produce a work to be showcased in our locations around the Country Regional Network (CRN).
We are proud to share Alfie’s creation: Marra Ngumbaay Murru Marra Murru - Six Tracks Hand Tracks.
Alfie’s explanation of his work, including the link between the CRN and Indigenous communities is discussed below:
- Centre – the centre of the cog is represented as the epicentre of the artwork. It is a circle, which means that it has no beginning or end. It represents the eternal concept of time from an Aboriginal perspective. The belief of time is that it is not linear, it just is… whether something happened in the past or will happen in the future, they are all connected. Aboriginal connection to land, the building of the network by Aboriginal hands and future involvement of Aboriginal communities are all connected and are not separate from one another. This also represents generational ties.
- Six-Spoked Cog – the cog represents the idea of industry, construction, and innovation of UGL. In Aboriginal art, the centre of this artwork represents the meeting place, place making or fireplace, which indicates the importance of the meeting. Six spokes and the theme of ‘six’ throughout the artwork represent UGL’s four core principles of Integrity, Accountability, Innovation and Delivery, while also incorporating two additional principles, related to the CRN – Aboriginal Connection and Care.
- Tracks – the inclusion of tracks refers to the CRN being associated with the rail network and infrastructure. The shape of this symbol also represents people within Aboriginal art. People drawn around the ‘meeting place’ reinforces the idea of place making and bringing people together.
- Songlines – in Aboriginal culture, it is believed that songlines exist within, around and through everything we see – people, trees, water, rocks, earth, animals, birds, fish, fire, etc. This belief describes everything as animate – having a soul and life. These songlines are what connect us to one another and everything around us. The ‘spear shaped’ songlines in this logo indicate leadership. This symbol incorporated in the ‘meeting place’ usually represents a meeting of Elders and/or hunters. It also acknowledges the leadership provided by UGL on the CRN.
- Hands – the hands represent the partnership and coming together, acknowledging the relationship being built between UGL and the wider community. They also acknowledge the contribution to rail infrastructure made by Aboriginal communities from around Australia – ‘hands that built the network’.
- Dots/Stipple Design – the dots represent the people within Aboriginal communities across the network.
- Background – the UGL brand colours have been incorporated into the background of the artwork.
