Columba Catholic Primary School Acknowledges the Bunurong Peoples’ of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners and Custodians and pay respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.  

Columba acknowledges the Bunurong’s continuing relationship to the land and waterways and respects that their connection and spiritual identity are maintained through ancient ceremonies, songlines, dance, art, and living culture.

We pay tribute to the invaluable contributions of the Bunurong and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Elders who have guided and continue to guide our work.

Eucharist, 1998 by Linda Syddick Napaltjarri

The subject of the painting depicts The Eucharist or Holy Communion a ritual where celebrants re-enact the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. In the centre of the painting we see the cross (which represents the Crucifixion) set against a very distinctive Australian background featuring Uluru (Ayers Rock) while bread and wine either side of the cross symbolizes the body and blood of Christ.

The remaining symbols convey the artist’s own Aboriginal interpretation of the event. The three boomerangs either side and to the top of Ayers Rock denote the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They also symbolise the promise of return made by Jesus. The series of small eleven U-shapes to the base of the cross represent Christ’s disciples. Directly above, the horizontal snake symbolises Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus.

To the bottom of the painting the large blue U-shape denotes a participant in Holy Communion, while either side a Kangaroo ancestor signifies Aboriginal spirituality and belief.

Linda's life has been influenced by Lutheran missionaries, hence the syncretic nature of her work. Whilst upholding her traditional belief system she is attempting to reconcile this contemporary issue through her art; a fusion of Christianity and the Dreaming.

This serves to remind us that the Dreaming is essentially a dynamic process which incorporates the totality of life, rather than a static historical, mythical past. The Dreaming deals with all issues; past, present, and future.