This Place is Us mural celebrates youth voice, culture and belonging in Port Augusta
Something vibrant and meaningful has recently transformed the Port Augusta foreshore; a stunning 60-metre spray-painted mural brought to life by local young people.
Titled This Place is Us: our voices, our story, our way, the mural was co-designed with and painted by young people under the guidance of Aboriginal artist Scott Rathman and his team. The project is one of the initiatives under the Port Augusta and Davenport Community Safety and Wellbeing plan, funded by the Port Augusta and Davenport Community Alliance, and supported by the Department of Human Services, South Australia Police (SAPOL) and National Indigenous Australians Agency.
The initiative aims to strengthen community pride and connection by placing young people at the center of the creative process. By actively involving them in both the design and delivery, the mural reflects lived experience, identity and shared stories.
The story behind the mural
At the heart of the artwork is the importance of Elders and the knowledge they pass down through generations; stories that move through time, guiding how people understand themselves, their culture and their place in the world. Their wisdom is portrayed as something living and ongoing, carried forward by today’s young people and future generations.
Port Augusta’s iconic bridge also features in the artwork, symbolising how people, places and stories connect.
Artist Scott Rathman explains
"This mural shows the importance of our Elders and the knowledge they pass down to us. Their stories are like smoke carried on the wind, they move through time, from the days past into the lives we live now, helping us understand who we are and how we should walk through the world. The wisdom they share becomes our responsibility to carry forward, so future generations can grow with the same strength, pride and connection.
"In Port Augusta, the bridge is more than a crossing. It represents how people, places and stories connect. It brings together the desert and the sea, the old and the young. It reminds us that even though we each have our own path, we are linked through community, culture, and Country.
"This is our home. Our families, our friendships, our memories, they are held in this place. We grow here, we learn here and we add our voices to the long line of stories that came before us. The legacy we’ve been given matters and the legacy we create will guide the young people who follow.
"Belonging is more than standing on a map, it’s standing on Country that recognises us. This place does not just hold us, it shapes us. It becomes part of our identity, part of our story, part of our spirit. We don’t just live here in Port Augusta, we belong here."
Young people shaping their community
For the young people involved in the project, the experience was about more than creating public art — it was about contributing something meaningful to their community and future generations.
They also played a role in shaping the artwork’s symbolism and meaning, with the project helping participants build confidence, responsibility and leadership skills.
"I enjoyed the experience and opportunity the project provided. It feels good being part of it because we get to show something we’ve done for the younger generation. I created a water symbol, symbolising the connections to water and land, and seeing it come to life from paper onto the mural felt honourable and memorable,” said young participant Ciara.
"It felt really good because you’re doing something for the community. You’ve just got to love it! It also helped me understand a few more future pathways," said participant Romin.
Drop by and see the mural on the back wall of Port Augusta's Electrical Discounters, who kindly made their building available for this project.