Mural embraces community and livens Fred Kelly Place

Fred Kelly Place, Five Dock, was given a new lease of life today when a unique public artwork, I Remember, which maps the identity of the area was launched by City of Canada Bay Mayor Angelo Tsirekas.

Commissioned by the City of Canada Bay, the mural entitled I Remember has been created by public artist Joanne Saad. Mayor Tsirekas said the mural captured the sense of community that still characterises the Five Dock area.

"This magnificent piece of work mirrors the memories of families and their homes and highlights the wonderful history we have in our region," he said.

"It is an outstanding piece of work recognising the diversity of this region and how its remarkable history is still an important part of Five Dock and the City of Canada Bay."

The mural was created over a number of months and incorporates the memories of residents of the area and historically significant items.

Over the course of the project, Joanne photographed people and places and was welcomed into the homes of Five Dock residents to share their family history.

"This was an amazing journey and I was honoured to be welcomed into the homes of local residents and become part of their story," Joanne said.

"The pride the residents of Five Dock have in their community was inspiring and I hope I have captured that in this work."

The mural covers an area of 21 metres and is 1.8 metres high. Made up of three panels, it has been designed to complement a planned upgrade of Great North Road, which will include artwork on electricity boxes and street banners.

The project is part of Council's public artwork program, which has included themed murals on traffic signal boxes and artwork in the adjoining Five Dock Library.