Currie Park residents share their 'sanctuary'

Sanctuary is how artist Gillian Coates describes her home at Currie Park, OCAV’s village in Euroa.

“When I go to Melbourne and I am heading back to Euroa, I can’t wait to get home to the peacefulness of this place. It is like a sanctuary for me,” said Gillian who moved into the village almost four years ago. This year she has needed the support and comfort of her sanctuary as she recovers from health problems and the tragic death of a grandson.

‘Sanctuary’ is the word Gillian has written on the artwork being prepared by Currie Park residents for the village’s 150th anniversary open dayon Saturday 23 November from 12 noon until 3.30pm. It was also the word she chose for her wooden block that was placed on the steps of Parliament House in August.

What home means to OCAV residents was an important question discussed across all OCAV villages in the lead up to Homelessness Week in August. Residents put their one word answer onto a wooden block, made by Barry Lay and the Men’s Shed group at Leith Park, which was placed on the steps of Parliament House.

CEO Phillip Wohlers said placing the blocks was OCAV’s symbolic gesture to draw attention to the powerful vision that OCAV founders had 150 years ago – to house and care for older Victorians.

Currie Park’s art class decided build on the symbolic gesture and to use the words in their artwork to mark the 150th celebrations.

Gillian worked with residents to paint their ‘home word’ onto a piece of timber, which was then framed and mounted in the outside area near the village’s community room.

Gillian was inspired by the OCAV 150th logo, which features a tree-like symbol. The words, including sanctuary, security and safe, were painted onto leaves and then glued to the timber.

“The leaves provide texture and a 3D look to the work,” she said.

Gillian and her art group have created several pieces of work in the village including an ANZAC Day field of poppies and fish themed garden art featuring painted plates.

Visitors to the Currie Park open day will be guided through the village using a site map designed and developed by Gillian. She enjoyed utilising some of the skills she perfected many years ago when she ran a business doing house floor plans for real estate companies.

Gillian will no doubt include in the site map some of the features that she loves at her ‘sanctuary’, including the nearby Strathbogie Ranges that gladden the heart even on the dullest of days.

“It isn’t just this village that is my sanctuary, the whole town is a tranquil and peaceful place. You walk down the street, even on a busy day, and people stop to smile and say hello. I’m lucky to live here; it’s like we are shielded a bit from everything. It’s a place where people can live in peace and harmony.”

Currie Park Celebration

Where: 58 Weir Street Euroa Vic 3666

When: Saturday 23 November 12 noon – 3.30pm

Bookings:

This is a free event but bookings for house tours are essential

https://www.trybooking.com/BEUXX

More information: https://aboundcommunities.org.au/news-events/currie-park-events/

E: enquiries@ocav.com.au