Media Release

Developer Villawood Properties has thrown its financial backing behind Gawler’s Remembering Courageous Women mosaic, ensuring the anti-violence public artwork goes ahead in a new park at Julian Terrace.

The six-panel mural, each section 1.75 x 1.2 metres, is designed to mark the impact of domestic and family violence and dedicated to the courage of women who have been abused.

One women is murdered each week in Australia by a current or former partner, and around one child a fortnight is killed by a parent, says the Zonta Club of Gawler, which is overseeing the mosaic in tandem with the Gawler Domestic Violence Network and the Town of Gawler

The mosaic is being created by artist Sandra Sullivan and First Nation artists Kira and Codi from Ngadli Art.

Villawood has contributed $10,000 to the project as part of a community support program tied to its new William Lakes project in the town’s north.

The mosaic is part of the state-wide Place of Courage – Ripples program: a series of public artworks providing a place for survivors, families and communities affected by domestic and family violence to grieve, find solace, heal, connect and educate.

Its design will represent women from indigenous communities, refugees and other cultures, and the flora of Australia and other countries. It will feature women and children viewed from behind, signifying they are no longer with us and have been reduced to facelessness. But their surroundings are peaceful, they are now surrounded by our love and nature’s beauty

Villawood CEO Alan Miller said the developer was keen to show its support for such a poignant and important project.

“This mosaic is providing such a critical message. It deserves all the support it can get,” Mr Miller said.

“Villawood has a lengthy record of helping community groups, especially those who might not normally attract much support.

“We’ll be launching a series of community grants at Gawler shortly, and calling for applications.

“We’re planning to be here for the long haul and also to become a vital part of the Gawler community.”

Villawood’s 1700-lot William Lakes project will open Adelaide’s growing north to a new breed of masterplanned residential living.

Villawood’s community focus will see William Lakes host a resort-style residents’club, The Lakehouse, with a fully-equipped gym, 25-metre lap pool, leisure pool and kids’ splash deck, parents’ lounge, multi-purpose function space for parties and events, café/restaurant and outdoor sports court.

Lakes and wetlands will feature through the project along with walking and cycling paths and opportunities for waterfront housing. Almost 20 per cent of the site will be retained for open space, parks, playgrounds and waterways. A small-scale mixed-use centre beside the club will host childcare and health/wellness services.

Villawood will also donate a block of land to forest reserves for every block it sells, under a program that has seen it contribute some 600 hectares to state forest to date.