IT was an exciting day for Mount Gambier Child Care Centre students on Friday with the handover of a special art piece to Mount Gambier City Council.
Created as part of the centre’s Broken Windows project, the art piece highlights the students’ thoughts and feelings about the destruction of the old Mount Gambier hospital building.
Fascinated by the building and its size, centre director Fiona Paltridge said they watched in great interest as “the big machines one day came in and demolished the broken windows”.
“They asked us ‘where will the princess live?’ and ‘how will they fix it if its gone?’,” Ms Paltridge said.
Educators at the centre watched the children over many months following the building’s destruction as they resurrected it in their play.
“It was clear the memory of the building was important to the children so all of the teachers decided to begin a project with them to create a permanent memory of their favourite broken windows,” Ms Paltridge said.
Creating a gift for the Mount Gambier City Council, Ms Paltridge said they wanted everybody to remember just how big the building was.
“This magnificent building was not only a large chapter of Mount Gambier’s history, but also a source of awe and wonder to children at the centre,” she said.
“Let’s use their drawings to immortalise their love for the old building – they see a beauty that as adults we do not and that is important for us to acknowledge.”
Mayor Andrew Lee was delighted to accept the art works on behalf of the council and said it showcased an important part of the city’s history.
“It is important that our children feel they belong, contribute and are valued citizens of Mount Gambier,” he said.
“It has now been years since the old hospital disappeared from the landscape and the City of Mount Gambier is very pleased to accept these creative works reflecting on the history of the city.”
The Broken Windows art piece is now available for viewing at the Mount Gambier Library.
