After collecting over 6,000 fingerprints from athletes and dignitaries during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, a young Aboriginal artist’s painting has gone on display for the first time at the Royal Australian Mint in Canberra.
Chern’ee Sutton’s nine-metre-long artwork Caina Putut, IIya, Wartanganha – Long ago, Today, Tomorrow was created during a residency at the Commonwealth Games Athletes’ Village, with guests including His Royal Highness Prince Charles and Australian Olympic legend Dawn Fraser making their mark on the painting.
Ms Sutton said she wanted her artwork, which includes unique black-light and 3D elements, to help educate the world about Australia’s rich history and culture.
“Caina Putut, IIya, Wartanganha means ‘Long ago, Today, Tomorrow’ in the Kalkadoon language and is a timeline of Australia’s history, from Aboriginal people living alongside megafauna to present day Australia,” she said.
“During the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, dignitaries, athletes and guests placed their fingerprints in 11 large circles representing the 11 days of competition, while medallists added their fingerprints to the gold, silver and bronze circles representing the medals.” The medals were produced at the Mint.
Caina Putut, IIya, Wartanganha – Long ago, Today, Tomorrow is on display at the Mint until February 2019. Entry to the Mint is free; Denison Street, Deakin.
Aussies urged to walk more
On Friday 5 October, Australians are encouraged to get walking for Diabetes Australia’s Walk to Work Day.
Now in its 20th year, Walk to Work Day encourages employers and employees to build walking into their everyday lives, through walking to and from work, taking a walk at lunchtime, using the stairs and having ‘walking meetings’.
“With one Australian diagnosed with type 2 diabetes every eight minutes, diabetes has a massive impact on Australia’s health system. Walking is one of the best ways people can incorporate more walking into their lives and reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” said Diabetes Australia CEO, Professor Greg Johnson.
“It can also help people who have type 2 diabetes to manage their condition.”
Professor Johnson said employers have an important role to play in encouraging their staff to build walking into their daily routine.
“Walking can make employees more productive, reduce stress and the improvement in general health can cut rates of absenteeism,” he said.
To support Diabetes Australia and participate in Walk to Work Day, visit walk.com.au
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