The Next Generation:
Strength, Vision & Legacy.
Image: Heart of Country by Artist Skyla Lauch
About the Public Art exhibition
When: Sunday 6 July – Sunday 12 October
What: Public Art – vinyl artwork
Artist: Gunditjmara, Kirrae Wurrung, and Bundjalung artist Skyla Lauch
Where: Mornington Peninsula Shire (external wall) – 2 Queen Street Mornington
Celebrating NAIDOC Week 2025 with Public Art in Mornington
In celebration of NAIDOC Week 2025, Mornington Peninsula Shire is proud to present a striking new public artwork by Gunditjmara, Kirrae Wurrung, and Bundjalung artist Skyla Lauch. The artwork will be featured as a prominent decal installation in Mornington, honouring this year’s NAIDOC theme: “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.”
Skyla, a proud First Nations woman and cultural educator, was selected through a competitive Expression of Interest (EOI) process run by the Shire, with the final decision made by the Public Art panel. As a young, emerging leader raised on Bunurong Country, her work brings an authentic and powerful local voice to this year’s celebrations.
“With NAIDOC’s theme this year being ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,’ it would be an honour as a young, upcoming leader in my community to be that representation of ‘The Next Generation’. In creating this art, I drew from my experiences as a First Nations youth here on the Mornington Peninsula”, said Skyla.
Skyla’s contemporary design blends cultural symbolism, personal experience, and vibrant storytelling. It reflects both the strength and spirit of young First Nations people and the enduring legacy of Elders who continue to guide their communities.
This artwork is more than a visual statement — it’s a celebration of identity, a reflection of community pride, and a tribute to the powerful role of the next generation in shaping a stronger future.
For more information click here
