SPREADING gratitude will feature heavily at next year’s Swan Hill Harmony Day celebrations.
The gratitude tree will be a new public art piece installed in the community and community members are being invited to add to the piece.
The project will be launched at Bunnings Swan Hill tomorrow, from 6pm until 8pm, where community members can decorate their own leaf.
The leaves will be added to the artwork.
One of the gratitude tree organisers and Swan Hill Harmony Day committee member, Ah-Kwi-Lan Wong, was the mastermind behind the project.
“Bringing the community together, the design will be one tree but everyone will be part of it in writing on the leaves,” she said.
“The idea came and we talked about it and we were thinking we have to do something that won’t fade from the weather and something that can stay in the community.
“We thought that the gratitude tree with the metal artwork can be placed somewhere in Swan Hill, like a public art space.”
Ms Wong said the committee wanted to create something that was accessible for everyone in the community to contribute to.
“It will be easy from childcare to aged care, and transportable, something that everyone can do it,” she said.
Artist Michelle Hunt, an artist formerly of Swan Hill but now living in Melbourne, worked on the design, while Swan Hill welder Corey Vallance will put the piece together.
Ms Wong said in the lead up to Christmas, now was the perfect time of year to reflect on what we’re grateful for.
She said gratitude also had many possibilities to show appreciation and return kindness to others.
“To be grateful and to be kind to others, and to act with kindness with open doors in relationships,” she said.
“And to improve physiological and psychological health, improve mental health and self-esteem, too, and increase empathy and reduce aggression.”
One of the other organisers and committee members of the project is Colleen Johnston.
Ms Johnston said when Ms Wong approached her with the idea, it got her thinking about gratitude and mindfulness.
“People are catching onto the idea a lot more in different places,” she said.
“And just how there’s a lot of worry and anxiety around and the antidote is that gratitude kind of thing.
“The gratitude tree gives you a chance to do your small part for this new public art piece, to express yourself regardless of age, gender, race, religion or ability.”
Ms Johnston said those unable to attend tomorrow’s launch could collect a kit to decorate their leaf at home or community group.
Further workshops will be held at the Swan Hill Christmas Twilight Farmers Market on December 19, Swan Hill Regional Library on January 13, and Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery on January 16.
Projects in previous years for the festival have included bunting, paper flowers and small decorated wooden houses.
Swan Hill Harmony Day will be held on March 28, 2020 at Riverside Park.
On offer will be a diverse range of music, food and dancing, including Celtic, Filipino and indigenous.
For further information or inquiries, email Ms Johnston at collsjohnston@gmail.com or Ms Wong at ahkwilan@hotmail.com or contact them via the Swan Hill Harmony Day Facebook page.
