Panel One (detail) – Wurundjeri Willum, from the series Lalor Conversation, Bern EMMERICHS, 2015

Lalor Conversation

Bern EMMMERICH, 2015

In 2014, artist Bern Emmerichs was commissioned to design and produce 4 ceramic tile murals that celebrated the rich cultural history and development of the suburb of Lalor. Located in Peter Lalor Walk, between Station Street and May Road in Lalor, the murals are intensely detailed and imaginative artworks celebrating the rich cultural history and development of the suburb of Lalor.

Panel One pays respect to the Wurundjeri Willum Clan, the Traditional Owners and first peoples of this land. It portrays William Barak and his sister Annie Borat, their culture and people, and their important role in the history of this place.

Panel Two celebrates Peter Lalor, after whom the walkway and suburb are named. It honours his achievements at the Eureka Stockade and his contribution to democracy in Australia.

Panel Three represents the German immigrant families of the 1850’s who settled the land and established the original farms in Westgarthtown (the area now known as Lalor and Thomastown). Panel Four represents two themes: those who settled in the area through the assistance of the Peter Lalor Homebuilding Co-operative Society; and the culture and diversity of the contemporary Lalor community.

This project was funded by the City of Whittlesea in partnership with the Department of Justice & Regulation and the Lalor Traders Association.

Thanks to the residents and community groups who participated in consultation for this project, including Ian Hunter - Wurundjeri Elder, Wurundjeri Tribe Land Cultural Heritage Council Inc., Whittlesea Reconciliation Group (WRG), the Lalor Traders Association, the Peter Lalor Housing Estate Alliance (PLHEA), Friends of Westgarthtown, Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Whittlesea Multicultural Communities Council, and residents of Lalor.

Lalor Conversations Part 2

A cultural heritage trail of artworks

In 2017 the Lalor Conversation project was extended. Artist Bern Emmerichs was commissioned to select details from the four ceramic murals and these were reworked and printed onto metal, and then installed onto signage poles in Lalor. The uniqueness and detailed cultural content of each of these works celebrates the layers of history of Lalor.

There are more than 45 of these artworks dotted through Lalor streets, parks and open spaces as well as the shopping precinct. You can download a map to walk to all of the locations and see the entire collection of works.

The walk will take approximately 1 hour.