Collinsville Village Unveils Birriah Artwork Celebrating Country, Culture and Reconciliation 

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New artwork signage at Collinsville Village honours the culture and stories of the Birriah People and their enduring connection to Country.

A new Acknowledgement of Country artwork signage created by Birriah artist Ken Dodd has been unveiled at Collinsville Village in Central Queensland, providing a lasting tribute to the culture, knowledge and connection of the Birriah People to Country.

The artwork, Gabula Munda Bidjiri (Carpet Snake Dreaming), was launched last Friday alongside a cultural immersion experience on Country, a Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony, and cultural performances led by Birriah Directors and community representatives.

The collaborative event brought together Birriah Traditional Owners, Collinsville residents, community members and Sodexo Australia’s Collinsville workforce and representatives to celebrate culture and reconciliation.

Created by local Birriah artist, Ken Dodd, the artwork tells the story of the ancient Birri Nahni lands and Nananu peoples, and the journey of Gabula Mandu, the Rainbow Serpent, whose travels across Country created rivers, mountain ranges and sacred places throughout the region.

The artwork carries an important message: Nudja Narra - Know, Understand, Remember Always - a reflection on the deep connections between people, Country, lore, totems and the responsibility to care for the land across generations.

For me, as an artist, keeping our stories going through our artwork and our language, it brings back that knowing and connection to country and belonging of Country for our future generations. “I hope this painting connects with everybody who works here and they see the uniqueness and diversity of our people, even in modern age today in 2026, that we are still sharing, caring people, and we still stand strong in our cultural identity and connection to our Country - but also that we are open to visitors on our land, for them to enjoy their stay and remember and acknowledge the ancient history of this Country of Birriah. “To have my work sitting here on country with Sodexo, it means a lot, my children and my grandchildren will one day see the legacy of their grandfather.”
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Using acrylics on canvas and special brushes for specific lines and artwork, Dodd painted motif designs to represent the mountains and the rivers, lines for countries and dots to represent life and spirit within the water. Animals, such as the emu, kangaroo and echidna symbolise the totems, skin groups, belonging and marriage systems of the Birriah peoples.

Sodexo Australia Director of Indigenous Affairs, Barbara Sheehy, said the artwork would help strengthen cultural understanding and create a visible and lasting reminder of the importance of reconciliation.

Together in consultation and many dialogues with Sodexo Australia and our Indigenous Affairs team, this artwork elevates the voice and stories of the Birriah People through a powerful visual representation of Country and culture

Ms Sheehy.

It will help our workforce, residents and visitors learn about the deep ancestral connections that exist in this region while reinforcing our commitment to advancing reconciliation through meaningful action.

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Located at the Village administration and dining room, the art signage also reflects Sodexo Australia's ‘Responding Together’ commitments in its 2025-2028 Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

 

Sodexo Australia Managing Director Keith Weston said the project demonstrated the value of working alongside Indigenous communities to create lasting outcomes.

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