Indigenous artist captures harmony: Roebourne Police unveil vibrant artwork celebrating community relations

In a bid to honour and celebrate the enduring collaboration between Roebourne Police and the Indigenous community, officers have embarked on a unique artistic endeavour to adorn the station with culturally relevant artwork. Officer Joel Wright took on the task of scouting for the perfect piece that would not only be a visual delight but also pay homage to the rich cultural heritage of the Indigenous people in Roebourne. Wright traversed the Pilbara, engaging with numerous artists to find the ideal representation. This artistic quest led Officer Wright to the doorstep of Jenna Halden, a Kariyarra and Yindjibarndi artist residing in Wickham. Recognising her talent and understanding the significance of her work, the officers extended an invitation to Halden to contribute a painting for display at the Roebourne Police Station. Ms Halden, whose artistic journey began at the age of 11 inspired by her sister’s Aboriginal dot art, enthusiastically accepted the invitation. Her paintings predominantly focus on her homeland, depicting elements such as animals, plants and dreamtime stories passed down through generations. “I feel at peace and really relaxed when I paint, it’s like I’m in another world,” she said. “Right now, I paint for my nanna.” Ms Halden’s creation for the Roebourne Police Station intricately conveys the evolving relationship between the police force and the community. Four small circles symbolise the historical connection, gradually becoming brighter and more inclusive over time. The four bigger circles encompass the positive aspects of community-police relationships, illustrating unity, inclusivity, growth and a promising future. Senior Sergeant Dale Harmer personally briefed Ms Halden on the station’s vision for the artwork. “We gave Jenna the brief that we were looking for a piece that would outline the history of the police’s relationship with the community,” he said. “We now have the artwork that will be displayed proudly on the wall of our front office.” Excited about the positive response, Sen. Sgt Harmer hinted at future collaborations with Ms Halden. “We are now encouraging Jenna to create two more pieces that could potentially be a continuation of the story told in the first piece,” he said.