The Bluff Point car ferry service is one of the busiest in NSW, crossing the Clarence River 24 hours 7 days per week, connecting people between the towns of Lawrence and Woodford Island and forming part of Tourist Drive 22 in the Clarence Valley Council area.
The main drivers behind this project were to liven up the ferry, enhance vehicle user’s experience and to reflect and connect the local community.
With a fast turnaround time, high quality digital print was required to enhance the vibrant artworks, together with marine grade materials and laminates to endure and perform in a water based environment. An agile & experienced installation team was needed to travel to site and apply the graphics quickly and professionally.
Transport for NSW chose Hi-Vis to deliver on these requirements, appreciating the company’s use of superior grade materials and print methodologies to achieve optimal outcomes for the project in the timeframe.
The artwork was supplied by Gumbaynggirr artist Angela Webb who created the artwork as “a beautiful representation of the Clarence River….Its varying blue, pink and red shades depict the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets that can be seen by those who travel on the river and make their homes on its shores.”
Ms Webb is the Manager of the Aboriginal Employment Unit at Sydney Trains and has family ties to Yaegl country.
“My grandfather, Thomas Flanders, was born in 1909 on Ulgundahi Island, which sits on the river between Ashby and Maclean, and is a Yaegl word meaning ‘shape of an ear’,” Ms Webb said
“Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung people have used wulbiny (boats) on Bindarray for thousands of years and to this day the river is a provider of food, allowing people to hunt and gather traditionally, practicing the oldest living culture on the earth.”
An official ceremony occurred in December just prior Christmas where Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis unveiled the artwork attended by Ms Webb, representatives from Clarence Valley Council and local Yaegl, Gumbaynggirr and Bundjalung people.
You can check out the official Transport for NSW media release here