Powerful connections at HeART & Soul Koort Wirrin

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Jul 20, 2026

3 mins

Celebrating Culture, Connection and Healing

Richmind WA was proud to bring together Elders, community members, partner organisations, artists, special guests and funders on 7 July to celebrate the Koort Wirrin (Noongar, meaning heart and soul) art exhibition as part of NAIDOC Week 2026. Showcasing artworks created through the Moorditj Djerpin Wirrin HeART & Soul program, the exhibition celebrated Aboriginal culture, creativity, connection and the power of art in supporting social and emotional wellbeing.

The professionally curated exhibition featured original artworks created by Aboriginal participants who took part in the HeART & Soul program led by respected Aboriginal artist Lesley Murray. Each artwork reflected unique stories, experiences, culture and connection and demonstrated the role creativity can play in healing, self-expression and wellbeing.

This exhibition was about much more than displaying artwork. It created a space where Aboriginal people could connect to culture as part of their recovery journey. Artists’ stories, culture and experiences could be recognised and celebrated,

Koort Wirrin demonstrates what can be achieved when programs are culturally grounded, shaped by strong partnerships and led by people with deep community knowledge. We are proud to have supported an initiative that provided Aboriginal participants with meaningful opportunities for creative expression, connection and wellbeing.

Richmind WA CEO Adrian Munro

Guests were welcomed by Uncle Albert and Aunty Irene McNamara and enjoyed a smoking ceremony by Steven Jacobs from In Culture Tours before viewing the artworks and connecting with artists, facilitators, partner organisations and the teams involved in delivering the broader program of initiatives.

Richmind WA CEO Adrian Munro thanked those present, including Elders, representatives from WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA), Lead Artist Lesley Murray, In Culture Tours, Indigenous Consulting Group, Red Dust Healing, program artists, curator David Giles, the Moorditj Djerpin Wirrin team and all staff involved in bringing the exhibition and broader program together.

Recognising the impact of culturally grounded programs

The exhibition opening also provided an opportunity to recognise the collective impact of several short-term Indigenous Mental Health Programs delivered through Moorditj Djerpin Wirrin with support from WA Primary Health Alliance.

The support enabled Richmind WA to work alongside Aboriginal facilitators, businesses and organisations to deliver culturally grounded programs for people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The activities were designed to bring people together in safe and welcoming spaces to yarn, heal and strengthen wellbeing.

Led by respected Aboriginal facilitators and artists, the short-term programs created meaningful pathways to support, connection and collective healing through storytelling, art, cultural immersion and shared connection on Country.

Six months can feel like a blink of an eye when you’re truly present in the moment, grounded in country, gathered in yarns, held by creativity and connection. Every challenge we carried was outweighed by the ones we walked alongside. Teamwork makes the dream work and walking together made the dream real. We’re exhausted in the best way, but our koort is full.

Heather Jacobs, Richmind WA Aboriginal Cultural Lead.

Other programs supported through the funding included:

Cultural immersion experience with In Culture Tours, where participants came together on Whadjuk Noongar Country for a guided cultural experience exploring Noongar history, language, seasonal knowledge, bush tucker and the cultural stories held within the landscape.
Deadly Thinking Workshops and Infinite Wirin Healing Workshops, delivered in partnership with Indigenous Consulting Group. The workshops supported social and emotional wellbeing, mental health awareness, suicide prevention, addiction recovery and resilience through culturally safe conversations, yarning, storytelling, cultural sharing and practical tools.
HeART & Soul with Lesley Murray, which brought participants together to connect, create and heal through art. The program supported emotional, spiritual, social and mental wellbeing through creative group activities in a safe and supportive space.
Red Dust Healing workshops and train-the-trainer activities for Richmind WA staff. While this component was not promoted as an external community program, it helped build internal capability and strengthen culturally informed approaches across the organisation.

This program is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the PHN Program and commissioned by WA Primary Health Alliance. Richmind WA extends its sincere thanks to WAPHA, all artists, participants, Elders, partner organisations, staff and guests who contributed to the exhibition and the broader program of culturally grounded wellbeing initiatives.

When Aboriginal people are given culturally safe spaces to share their stories without judgement, healing becomes possible. Over six months, this partnership between Richmind WA and Indigenous Consulting Group became a true healing journey, strengthening cultural identity, breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma, and renewing hope for participants, their families and future generations. Thank you to WAPHA and Richmind WA for investing in Aboriginal-led healing, grounded in lived experience, culture and community.

Willhemina Farmer