Creating space for mindfulness at McCombe House in Tasmania
- 8 minutes ago
- 3 min read
BY LAUREN MARTIN AND SUBU KOIRALA
An interactive mural activity that encourages creativity for relaxation and mindfulness offers residents at Tasmania’s McCombe House a space to reflect and refresh as they rebuild their lives after experiencing family and domestic violence and homelessness.
The idea to create a mural on the blank fence walls outside the McCombe House building has been in development since 2022, but it wasn’t until the chaplain, Major Angela Rawlings, met artist Anna Tu at a local craft market that the project gained momentum.
“Her artwork of a butterfly captured my eye,” said Angela.
The two worked together on concepts for the mural, including resident involvement and uplifting quotes chosen and voted on by residents and staff.
The Salvation Army Tasmania’s External Communications Office Coordinator, Subu Koirala, said the murals are a visual representation of the hope that McCombe House offers: “They beautifully capture the various seasons of life. At the centre of the mural, a vibrant butterfly has been painted in soft rainbow colours.”
Anna Tu explains that the butterfly symbolises transformation, the art of becoming, letting go of what was, and stepping into something new.
“I have experienced some darkness in my life as well, and it was art saving me and keeping me alive,” the artist said. “So, being able to create something that brings warmth, love, courage and hope to help others ... it means so much to me.”
Residents were invited to join in the painting of the mural, with Subu describing their contributions as significant.
“There are ‘little people’ scattered across the murals,” she explained. “They are wonderfully unique, and together they feel alive, like tiny stories captured in motion.
“They remind us that beauty lives in our differences, yet beneath it all, we’re connected by the simple truth of being human.”
Phrases like ‘You are brave’ and ‘Let your light shine’ offer encouragement to all who walk past.
Uplifting quotes offer encouragement to all who walk past the new mural at The Salvation Army’s McCombe House in Tasmania.
The murals bring the walls of McCombe House to life. There is a deep sense that they come from real experiences, moments that were heavy, yet meaningful.
Family Violence State Manager Liz Carney says the mural is focused on recovery, hope and identity: “All those things that can be rebuilt when you’re in a place like McCombe House. For the women who contributed to [the mural], it leaves a lasting legacy of being there. Everyone will move on, but a little piece is left behind, and the women who come after can see that and take hope from it.”
Art therapy invites McCombe House residents to mindfulness
Major Angela Rawlings, Chaplain at McCombe House, said the idea for art groups at McCombe House to promote mindfulness and creativity came about when she was talking to the centre’s Children’s Specialist Practitioner.
“Having space to breathe and, potentially, relax is so important for anyone living in a high-stress situation such as leaving a relationship because of violence,” she said.
An application for a Department of Premier and Cabinet grant to run the groups was successful, and they commenced earlier this year. Some of the activities offered include mindfulness through relaxation techniques, painting, writing, photography and vision/inspiration boards.
It’s been a slow start for the groups, with many women hesitant to commit to attending.
“The residents are, naturally, hyper-vigilant,” said Angela. “Anything [that we can do] that can assist them that know that they are safe, is valuable.”
She and her co-facilitators, Carol Ellis and Sandra Menzies, are committed to continuing to offer the activities, knowing that their impact is significant for those who attend, as evidenced by a woman who recently created a vision board outlining her hopes and dreams for the future.
“We want to offer resin jewellery-making, air-dry clay creations, music therapy, and so much more. We are even planning for two activities during the coming school holidays to include mums and children in the activity together,” said Angela.
Artist Anna Tu painting a mural on the fence walls at The Salvation Army’s McCombe House in Tasmania.
