The Aboriginal Art and Storytelling project was launched on 13 August 2022 with a celebration of France Belle Parker's series of sculptures on the Coast Walk at North Narrabeen Lagoon. 

Artist Frances Belle Parker was present with her mother and family, including Aunty Lois Birk. Following a traditional smoking ceremony performed by Michael Birk, and an Acknowledgement of Country given by Aunty Lois Birk, guests helped to commemorate the launch of the project with a special morning tea. Mayor Michael Regan was also in attendance to help mark the occasion, as well as several Councillors, and community members.

Frances' winning concept designs celebrate stories of whale migration and the coast as a gathering spot and an important source of food such as oysters. Frances is a proud Yaegl woman, painter, and artist from Maclean, NSW. She came to prominence by winning the prestigious Blake Prize in 2000, making her the youngest ever winner and the first Aboriginal recipient in the prize’s history.

Special mention was made during the ceremony of local Aboriginal artist Jessica Birk. Jessica was the cousin and business partner of Frances,  and was also a proud descendant of the Yaegl people.  Through her art and design business with Frances Belle Parker, Dyinda Designs, Jessica asserted herself as a contemporary visual storyteller of the Yaegl people, and lived for many years on the Northern Beaches. 

Before her passing, Jessica Birk gave Frances permission to continue to use their collaborative designs, and Frances said she felt that in every stage of this project journey, Jessica had guided her in its creation. 

As part of her community engagement process, Frances Belle Parker met with various members of the local Aboriginal community to present her concept design, identify significant and relevant sites for the artworks, and share stories and memories about the places and themes of the artworks.

Her artworks now speak to the history of the area and the continuing culture of Aboriginal people on the Northern Beaches. They were installed in late July 2022

This oyster midden artwork is just one artwork in a series of artworks by Frances Belle Parker now installed on the Coast Walk at Narrabeen, Long Reef, and South Avalon.

The artworks aim to connect passers-by to Country by telling stories of Aboriginal life and continuing culture.