On May 18, the students, staff and community of Fairfield Primary School gathered to celebrate the official opening of “Kaan’s Winya”—the tiger snake’s resting place—with a traditional smoking ceremony conducted by local elder, Ian Hunter.

The creation of the winya involved the collaboration of students, parents and community. Volunteer parents worked together to plant over 300 locally sourced plants and grasses while the students had the opportunity to be part of a whole school artistic project. Guided by artist in residence, Simon Normand, the distinctive outdoor area is a reflective place, where students can walk the labyrinth of Kaan, sit in the winya, or contemplate the beauty of its surrounds.

“The idea for creating this space was to bring some of the original Yarra floodplain environment back to the school and involve the students in its creation,” Mr Normand said.

The design incorporates raised garden beds, stone walls, paths and seating.  Three paved pathways lead to a swarm of ceramic insect and aquatic life circling a large mosaic tiger snake, Kaan. These animals were created by the students to celebrate the life of the nearby Yarra River.

View the official opening photo gallery.