Aboriginal Survival Memorial
LOCATION
Yeo Park, Ashfield, NSW
YEAR
2024
CLIENT
Innerwest Council
TEAM
Umbaco Landscape Architects | From Bush to Bowl | Milli Milli with artists: Nicole Monks and Maddison Gibbs
ABORIGINAL SURVIVAL MEMORIAL – BREATHE
Good Design Award Winner and Winner of Community Spirit & Inclusion Award
Umbaco was delighted to collaborate with artists Nicole Monks, Maddison Gibbs and their team at mili mili, to create this iconic Aboriginal Memorial, with the sculpture “Breathe’ as a centre piece. This sculpture is the first of three that the Inner West Council will build to celebrate the survival and resilience of the local Aboriginal community.
“Breathe” is a powerful Aboriginal survival memorial in Yeo Park, honouring the resilience, reflection, and healing of Aboriginal people. Moon-shaped sandstone boulders form a spiral, intricately carved with Community symbols and woven with native plants—guiding visitors on a shared journey of discovery.
Designed with Country at its core, the memorial centres Aboriginal experiences and deep knowledge of place, creating a space where culture, and connection intersect. More than a monument, “Breathe” marks a profound shift in the nation’s narrative, offering an immersive experience that invites visitors to engage physically and emotionally with its story of survival and renewal. The site sparks creativity, draws in both parents and children, and—despite its seemingly simple design—reveals layers of depth and artistry in its execution.
In the words of the artist Nicole Monks; ‘ The concept of “Breathe,” was to have engraved and carefully placed sandstone rocks serve as portals to ancient stories, emerging from the earth in intricate patterns, inviting individual journeys. It’s an interactive work, traversed and gathered upon, where people express culture and share stories, fostering healing and truth-telling. Country is honoured in the project, encouraging participants to pause, touch, and reflect, connecting with the earth and drawing strength from their heritage.’
Collaborating with Bush to Bowl we selected plant species, including many bush food species for learning, and Lomandra, a typical weaving plant amongst the women. The locally native groundcovers were planted between the sculptures to provide a living carpet and connection to Country.
