New fountains quench thirst for water and knowledge
21 Jul 2021
New cultural water fountains at Deakin University will provide free access to fresh drinking water and reduce plastic waste while also quenching students’, staff and visitors’ thirst for knowledge about Traditional Owner culture and history.
Barwon Water worked with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Deakin University and creative agency Little Rocket to design and deliver the new fountains at the university’s Waurn Ponds and Geelong campuses.
The water fountains feature original artwork created by local Wadawurrung artists Corrina Eccles and Billy-Jay O’Toole and Little Rocket. They include educational inscriptions also developed by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and Little Rocket.
The fountains were officially launched on Monday 12 July 2021 by Barwon Water Chair Jo Plummer and Deakin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin, and included a Welcome to Country performed by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Corrina Eccles.
A well as keeping visitors hydrated, the fountains are designed to teach, inspire and raise awareness of Wadawurrung values while also expressing our gratitude and thanks to the Traditional Owners for nurturing and caring for Country, which sustains us all.