LOCAL students have come together in celebration of NAIDOC week to design and create their very own themed mural artwork for Elizabeth’s Northern Sound System (NSS).

Students from year seven to year 12 from Playford International College have been putting their ideas to paper over the last week, sharing the stories of First Nations People through art.

Their designs how now been incorporated into one giant mural which will greet the community at the NSS’ entrance.

Speaking with The Bunyip, student Tia Boxer said the team has been working hard to pay homage to local Indigenous Elders.

“It’s been really cool to see everyone’s ideas come together like this,” she said.

“We’ve been coming out to paint for a week now, and it’s turned out really well!” Playford International College staff member Barbara Buckland has been working with members of the NSS to assist students in creating the mural, and said she’s proud to see the students come together to create the piece.

“It’s nice to have students come out of the classroom and into the community. We’ve had a lot of people come up to us and interact with us and learn the story - the whole journey has been really positive,” she said.

Ms Buckland said the mural pays respect to First Nations people, and symbolises the community moving forward with Australia’s shared culture.

“We’ve included both the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag, along with hills in the background to represent the land and the water to show the different waterways around Australia,” she said.

“We’ve also painted the different animals that would have been hunted by First Nation people, and have incorporated our kangaroo and emu – these symbolise how both these animals are always moving forward, and how as a community we are building those bridges.”

The top of the mural has been lined with the words “marni naa pudni” meaning that everyone is welcome.

“We’ve done that in rainbow colours to symbolise that our LGBTQ+ community is loved,” Ms Buckland said.

“In the middle of the mural we have our meeting place with the Kaurna shield representing the land that we’re on here in Playford.

“Wrapped around that is our rainbow serpent to pay respect to kinship and Dreamtime stories.

“We’re also going to add our symbols of people in rainbow coming together and sharing all the knowledge of the land.”

The mural will officially launch this Friday from 11.30am, where it will be unveiled to the community with the students along with their friends and family