Let’s Paint Whitlam: Residents celebrate history and people through art

Whitlam’s Maymuru Park came to life on Saturday 12 April as 180 residents took part in Let’s Paint Whitlam: Easter Art Hunt — a vibrant community event celebrating creativity, connection and local identity.

Hosted by the Mingle Community Development Program, the event invited families and neighbours to explore Whitlam through an interactive art trail. Participants followed clues to Evoenergy boxes across the suburb, discovering eight murals painted in the weeks leading up to the event.

Whitlam’s namesake, Gough Whitlam, was a strong supporter of the arts during his lifetime. His legacy inspired the suburb’s street name theme, ‘arts and culture’. Building on this, Mingle commissioned local Canberra-based artists to create murals, each inspired by the name of the street where the energy box was located. Projects like this deepen residents’ connection to place while brightening public spaces and fostering pride in the community.

Back at the park, hands-on creative workshops led by three featured artists gave attendees the chance to experiment with different art techniques and engage directly with the creative process. Two Evoenergy boxes became live painting sites, where residents could watch murals come to life in real time.

More than just an art event, Let’s Paint Whitlam helped build a sense of belonging by creating space for residents to meet, chat and connect in a relaxed, welcoming setting. The event encouraged active exploration of the suburb, inviting attendees to see Whitlam in a new light. These artworks also help deter graffiti and support Evoenergy in continuing to deliver power to the community.

The event’s success was made possible through collaboration with Evoenergy, TCCS and the local Stromlo Scouts Group, highlighting the value of community and government partnerships in bringing shared spaces and stories to life.

Let’s Paint Whitlam was a true celebration of community creativity, collaboration and place — leaving a colourful mark on the suburb and strengthening the ties that make it feel like home.

Churcher Crescent, painted by Lawrence Tan, Lawrence Tan Creations