The Monotreme and Mermaid of Moruya

 

Moruya is a wonderful southcoast town just south of Batemans bay NSW Australia. The town is a popular tourist destination for the lovely beaches. I visited Moruya to see the little mural on the electrical panel located next to Grounded Moruya, a popular coffee shop in town known for good coffee and welcoming locals. The mural was created by Nick Summers in 2004 and features endangered animals, such as Eastern quoll, sugar glider, greater glider, koala, masked owl, Black cockatoo, wallaby, silver gull and platypus. It is assumed that the mural is promoting the needed protection of Australia's unique fauna.

Moruya is said to mean"home of the black swan", and originated from the First Nations Tharawal word. Moruya is home to the traditional owners of the land the Yuin People, and within the Moruya area are the Bugelli-Manji clan. The Moruya River has always been a significant place for the Yuin People. The Mermaid is also significant in First nations culture unlike the western image of a mermaid the First Nations mermaid is a wise figure that often is seen to protect the water. Within the Apex park in the main part of town is a beautiful wooden carving created by Bryan Carrick of a mermaid holding a dolphin. Around the main street (Vulcan street) many of Bryan's sculptures can be found adorning local shops, promoting local art, history and culture of the town.

Below is a video I filmed with more footage from Moruya.