Midwest artist Leeann Kelly-Pedersen draws inspiration from life and career in health
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Leeann Kelly-Pedersen.
04/07/2025
For Nhanda and Wajarri artist and WA Country Health Service staff member Leeann Kelly-Pedersen, a love of art came at an early age.
“In primary school art was my favourite subject. Then when I got older, I did an art course with printing, textiles, jewellery making, charcoal, pottery, but mostly I paint on canvas.”
It’s one of Leeann’s works on canvas that now takes centre stage as part of the WA Country Health Service branding.
As part of the branding refresh, WA Country Health Service has developed a brand mark which prominently features Leeann’s artwork Ugarla nganhu buujungga nyinamarda.
The brand mark – designed to be used alongside the WA Country Health Service logo – draws a connection between our health service and country communities by depicting some of the lands that make WA so unique.
“It’s about places like Burringurrah, Mt Augustus, Gascoyne Junction and community meeting places. The Gascoyne River is very important visiting place,” Leeann said.
“Inspiration comes to me from everywhere, real stories about my experiences in life, stories and places I’ve been.”
WA Country Health Service Chief Executive Jeff Moffet said having Leeann’s artwork incorporated into the WA Country Health Service brand reflects the important role Aboriginal culture plays in country healthcare.
“Displaying Aboriginal art in our hospitals and health services is just one of the ways we can help to create culturally safe spaces for our Aboriginal communities,” Mr Moffet said.
“Leeann’s artwork is a wonderful representation of some of the lands our staff work on every day.
“It gives a sense of just how unique our landscape is and how important it is that we remain connected to it.”
The original Ugarla nganhu buujungga nyinamarda hangs proudly in the foyer space of Gnullingoo Mia Residential Care in Carnarvon and is also featured throughout the building on screens, panels and the plaque that was unveiled to commemorate the facility’s opening in December 2021.
“I feel very proud to have that painting there at Gnullingoo Mia,” Leeann said.
“My father is a Nhanda man from Carnarvon and his family are from the Kalbarri/Northampton area – their ancestors lived along the Murchison River.
“My aunty was in care at Gnullingoo Mia and dad is 84 years old now, so I reckon when he goes into care there, he will be so proud, telling stories about the art and saying ‘my daughter did that!’”
For Leeann, it has been important to maintain her career as an artist alongside her work in country healthcare.
Having worked as a Health Promotion Officer, Leeann moved into Mental Health before becoming an Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer with Midwest Palliative Care in 2024.
“I find palliative care very rewarding, supporting Aboriginal people in the whole Midwest region – Mt Magnet, Carnarvon – wherever it’s needed.
“I love being there with people on their journey and advocating for people, not just Aboriginal families,” Leeann said.
“There are a lot of funny moments, too. It’s hard to say goodbye sometimes, but there’s a lot of laughs as well and that’s important.”
Another of Leeann’s works Barndiyimanha (Getting better) is on display in Geraldton Health Campus Community Health Centre building.
Leeann describes the work as being about Country, culture, community, family and friends.
“Those are all important to healing and recovery for Aboriginal people.”
Leeann said that having her artwork incorporated in WA Country Health Service’s branding is a great honour.
“I feel very excited that my artwork is being seen across the state, that’s a big thing for me.”
“In primary school art was my favourite subject. Then when I got older, I did an art course with printing, textiles, jewellery making, charcoal, pottery, but mostly I paint on canvas.”
It’s one of Leeann’s works on canvas that now takes centre stage as part of the WA Country Health Service branding.
As part of the branding refresh, WA Country Health Service has developed a brand mark which prominently features Leeann’s artwork Ugarla nganhu buujungga nyinamarda.
The brand mark – designed to be used alongside the WA Country Health Service logo – draws a connection between our health service and country communities by depicting some of the lands that make WA so unique.
“It’s about places like Burringurrah, Mt Augustus, Gascoyne Junction and community meeting places. The Gascoyne River is very important visiting place,” Leeann said.
“Inspiration comes to me from everywhere, real stories about my experiences in life, stories and places I’ve been.”
WA Country Health Service Chief Executive Jeff Moffet said having Leeann’s artwork incorporated into the WA Country Health Service brand reflects the important role Aboriginal culture plays in country healthcare.
“Displaying Aboriginal art in our hospitals and health services is just one of the ways we can help to create culturally safe spaces for our Aboriginal communities,” Mr Moffet said.
“Leeann’s artwork is a wonderful representation of some of the lands our staff work on every day.
“It gives a sense of just how unique our landscape is and how important it is that we remain connected to it.”
The original Ugarla nganhu buujungga nyinamarda hangs proudly in the foyer space of Gnullingoo Mia Residential Care in Carnarvon and is also featured throughout the building on screens, panels and the plaque that was unveiled to commemorate the facility’s opening in December 2021.
“I feel very proud to have that painting there at Gnullingoo Mia,” Leeann said.
“My father is a Nhanda man from Carnarvon and his family are from the Kalbarri/Northampton area – their ancestors lived along the Murchison River.
“My aunty was in care at Gnullingoo Mia and dad is 84 years old now, so I reckon when he goes into care there, he will be so proud, telling stories about the art and saying ‘my daughter did that!’”
For Leeann, it has been important to maintain her career as an artist alongside her work in country healthcare.
Having worked as a Health Promotion Officer, Leeann moved into Mental Health before becoming an Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer with Midwest Palliative Care in 2024.
“I find palliative care very rewarding, supporting Aboriginal people in the whole Midwest region – Mt Magnet, Carnarvon – wherever it’s needed.
“I love being there with people on their journey and advocating for people, not just Aboriginal families,” Leeann said.
“There are a lot of funny moments, too. It’s hard to say goodbye sometimes, but there’s a lot of laughs as well and that’s important.”
Another of Leeann’s works Barndiyimanha (Getting better) is on display in Geraldton Health Campus Community Health Centre building.
Leeann describes the work as being about Country, culture, community, family and friends.
“Those are all important to healing and recovery for Aboriginal people.”
Leeann said that having her artwork incorporated in WA Country Health Service’s branding is a great honour.
“I feel very excited that my artwork is being seen across the state, that’s a big thing for me.”
Last Updated:
10/07/2025