A new community mural honouring Australian pioneer aviator, artist, author and vice-regal consort, Lady Maie Casey, has been unveiled in Berwick.
City of Casey Deputy Mayor, Anthony Walter, Councillor Stefan Koomen and Women’s Health in the South East (WHISE) CEO, Kit McMahon, were joined by community members at the Berwick Senior Citizens Centre to celebrate the unveiling of the mural.
The mural grew directly from Council and WHISE’s Project Respect, an innovative partnership with local schools that invited young people to explore gender equality, respectful relationships, healthy masculinities, community safety and commemorative justice. Year 10 students from across the municipality created video pitches proposing ways to commemorate a woman connected to the City of Casey, with the successful proposal calling for a permanent tribute to Lady Casey.
Council supported the students’ vision by commissioning the mural of Lady Casey, wife of Lord Richard Gavin Gardiner Casey, after whom the City of Casey is named. Lord Casey served as Australia’s Governor-General from 1965 to 1969, and the couple lived at Edrington, their estate on High Street in Berwick.
The mural is imagined as a page from Lady Casey’s own sketchbook – a collection of memories, travels and observations that shaped her extraordinary life. At the heart of the composition is Lady Casey herself, portrayed from an archival photograph as she writes and sketches at her desk.
Rather than celebrating only her public achievements, the mural reveals the thoughtful, creative and compassionate woman behind them. Surrounding her are fragments of her life: Lord Casey, her lifelong companion; an original sketch from her personal archive; references to India, Egypt and Edrington; and a vintage suitcase symbolising a lifetime of travel and cultural exchange. A vintage aeroplane reflects her passion for aviation and adventurous spirit, while a glowing kerosene lamp symbolises the warmth, kindness and curiosity that shines through her writings.
Delicate lace motifs represent femininity, peace, and her appreciation for women, textiles and craftsmanship. Native Australian flora – eucalyptus blossoms, gum nuts and golden wattle – frame the mural as a tribute to the country she loved and proudly called home. The Council says the concept invites viewers to discover Lady Casey not as a distant historical figure, but as an artist, traveller, writer and remarkable woman whose life continues to inspire.
Cr Walter said the mural, which was painted by local artist Arina Apostolova, is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when young people are empowered to share their ideas and help shape their community.
“This mural not only celebrates the extraordinary life of Lady Maie Casey, but also highlights the importance of recognising the contributions of women in our public spaces and local history,” he said.
Ms McMahon said the students uncovered an important story that had largely gone untold.
“Through their research and advocacy, Casey students have shown how young people can be empowered to create meaningful and lasting change in their community,” she said.
Following the unveiling, there was a panel discussion around public art and place naming; why women remain underrepresented in public places and local histories; and how local councils and schools can work with young people to create meaningful change.
The event also marked the launch of the Project Respect toolkit, which documents the partnerships, learnings and co-design process that enabled a classroom-based project to become a permanent public artwork.
