Breathing life into Dreamtime stories.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
Breathing life into Dreamtime stories.
- Perth Children's Hospital Foundation
The much-loved Arts Program at Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH) is back, with one of the 2025 highlights being the Noongar Digital Artist in Residence (AiR) initiative.
Generously funded by Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation (PCHF), this series of hands-on workshops invites young patients and their families to explore Noongar Dreamtime stories through the magic of claymation and digital animation.
Guided by animation artist Steve Aiton and celebrated local Noongar artist Kevin Bynder, the interactive workshops run three times a week during school terms from September through to July 2026, welcoming kids aged 4 to 16.
Delivered in partnership with the School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health (SSEN:MMH), the sessions take place in classrooms, at the bedside, and in recreation areas throughout the hospital, ensuring as many kids as possible can take part.
One participant, 12-year-old Ace from Port Hedland, sculpted a Balston’s pygmy perch – a species of native fish – from clay before working with Steve and Kevin to bring it to life on screen. While animating, Ace also learned about the six Noongar seasons: Birak (Dec–Jan), Bunuru (Feb–Mar), Djeran (Apr–May), Makuru (Jun–Jul), Djilba (Aug–Sep), and Kambarang (Oct–Nov).
Ace’s pygmy perch will join over 100 other creatures in a large-scale digital artwork celebrating the six Noongar seasons, set to be screened at PCH during NAIDOC Week 2026. As each new creature is added, the entire painting comes to life in a vibrant celebration of Noongar culture and storytelling.
During the workshops, Kevin also guides participants to use paint pens on canvas, drawing inspiration from the story of Waagyl, the Rainbow Serpent – a legendary creature believed to have carved out the boodja (country) and created the land and waterways. Inspired by this story, patients learn the visual language of Noongar symbols to create their own unique story, giving them a greater understand how to read and interpret Aboriginal artwork.
Artist Kevin Bynder’s connection to the hospital is also a personal one. Born six weeks premature, Kevin spent a lot of time as a child in and out of both Princess Margaret Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital, giving him a deep understanding of what young patients are experiencing. Since becoming a full-time artist in 2020, Kevin has created everything from murals across Perth to guernseys for Australia’s biggest sporting codes.
Executive Director at the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS), Ali Devellerez said: “It really engages children and their families and makes their stay at PCH a more positive and unique experience. Kevin makes it so welcoming and comfortable for our regional and remote families, as a lot of them know him.
“So for them, to turn up and see a familiar face makes a huge difference. Kevin spends a lot of time working in the art program, but importantly, talking to the families and helping us create a meaningful connection to the family and the area that they’ve come from.”
Thanks to the generosity of PCHF, the Noongar Digital AiR initiative supports children’s mental health and wellbeing by fostering social connection, easing loneliness, and helping reduce the stress and anxiety of hospital stays.
“Art is a safe place for everyone to have busy hands and let their minds relax. The correlation between good arts and good mental health is well documented now, and we’re seeing more of it being integrated into clinical environments,” said Curator and Art Program Coordinator for PCH, Helen Mathie.
PCHF CEO Carrick Robinson said: “These creative sessions offer more than just distraction. By providing access to these positive patient experiences, we can help to make hospital visits less daunting and more enjoyable for WA’s sick kids during a challenging time in their lives.”
Help us to create more positive patient experiences like this, visit pchf.org.au/donate.
Coming Up Next: The Sound of Picture Books
Join us on 18 & 19 October at PCH’s Level 5 Auditorium for a magical series of live, all-ages storybook performances, presented by The Literature Centre and brought to life by Perth Symphony Orchestra and award-winning author, artist, musician, and narrator Matt Ottley.
18 & 19 October
10:00am–11:00am – The Messy Bath Monster
11:30am–12:30pm – Stickboy
The Sound of Picture Books is proudly made possible through the generous support of PCHF and ToyBox Australia.
