(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this article contains an image of a deceased person).
The City of Knox is set to become home to a public artwork honouring Yarra Yarra woman Aunty Dorothy ‘Dot’ Peters, it was announced on International Women’s Day.
Knox City Council was among six organisations statewide whose projects were selected for funding under the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program.
The program aims to address the under-representation of women in public art and women artists by commissioning six new public artworks in Victoria, inspired by the contributions, achievements and stories of Victorian women.
The Victorian community had been invited to have their say on which stories they would most like to see honoured through art, with more than 10,000 Victorians participating.
Council’s submission was to recognise Aunty Dot, who used her roles as activist, educator, author and Elder to raise awareness of a range of issues impacting First Nations people.
In 2019, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of her service to the First Nations people of Victoria.
The program is an initiative of the Office for Women, funded by the Victorian Government’s Community Support Fund and delivered in partnership with McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery.
Council’s project will provide opportunities for First Nations women artists to apply to create public artwork that immortalises Aunty Dot’s contributions, ensuring her legacy continues to inspire and educate future generations, Council said in a statement.
