Mabu Liyan courtyard provides culturally welcoming space

WA Country Health Service’s Broome Mental Health facility Mabu Liyan has made some new additions to the courtyard – making the space more culturally welcoming for patients, visitors, and staff.

An art panel - created based on artwork done by local artists Maxine Charlie and Martha Lee – has been installed prominently along the newly-extended courtyard wall.

With a focus on creating a culturally welcoming space, the design has calming colours and tones, and represents the landscapes and fauna of the Kimberley and the Yawuru six seasons – Barrgana, Wirlburu, Laja, Marrul, Wirralburu, and Man-gala.

A yarning circle with a fire pit, and rocks sourced from around the Kimberley is creating a culturally safe meeting place where patients, staff and visitors can come together, learn from each other, build respect, and share knowledge.

Sails have also been installed to provide shade over the open courtyard area.

Executive Director Kimberley Lisa Smith said the new space is creating a welcoming spot to cultivate connection and wellbeing.

“We wanted to create a space where people could come and take a moment to relax while maintaining cultural connection,” she said.

“It was important to us to integrate elements that were reflective of the Kimberley, and it was great to consult with local artists to achieve this.

“The artwork and yarning circle are particularly important cultural elements for patients, visitors and staff and we are proud of how the new space has come together,” she added.