Minlacowie, Water Tank Art - South Australia

The Minlacowie Water Tank Art was completed in March 2023 in only 9 days. The project was led by Artist Mike Makatron and assisted by artists Conrad Bizjak, Dylan Butler, Jason Swales, Harley Hall and Sabine Meyer.

The Minlacowie water tank art represents the Nurungga people, the Narungga is a symbol for a meeting place, or community.

The Following is featured on the water tank: 

• Facing north is the Female red kangaroo (Narungga totem animal for the Wawi clan of the north).
• Facing east, you can find Emus (Narungga totem animal for the Garrdi clan of the east).
• On the south side are Sharks (Narunga totem animal for the Widhadha clan of the south).
• On the west side you will find Eagles (Narungga totem animals for the Wildu clan of the west).

Uncle Ian Harradine Sr joined the project as a Narungga cultural consultant, approving the designs on behalf of and after consultation with the Narungga community. He also held a traditional smoking ceremony to start and conclude both murals as well as overseeing the painting from a Narungga perspective.

The pink salt lakes of the Yorketown region are located just below Minlacowie. This section of the mural is taken from an aerial photograph by Adam Meyer of AdBe Photography. Adam also provided the image of the local windmill which was used to round out the art project.

The coastal scene of Port Peninsula’s west coast was taken from a painting by Terry Braund. Many different aspects have been used to symbolise the community of Minlacowie and showcase its rich history and diversity.