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Indigenous artist Lionel Rose Junior honoured for Warragul Station Park artwork celebrating culture, community and family legacy

Indigenous artist Lionel Rose Junior's cockatoo design now features in Warragul Station Park, honouring Kurnai and Gunditjmara heritage, community ties, and his family legacy alongside uncle Lionel Rose's iconic statue.

By news@gippsland - 11th September 2025 - Back to News

Local indigenous artist Lionel Rose Junior has been celebrated for his original artwork featured in Warragul Station Park. The design, featuring two cockatoos perched on a branch with traditional Aboriginal art patterns, has been laser cut into steel modesty screens on the new restroom facility, which stands fittingly next to the statue of his uncle, World Boxing Champion Lionel Rose (1948 - 2011) at the park along Queen Street in Warragul.

Local indigenous artist Lionel Rose Junior and Mayor Cr Danny Goss

Artistic legacy continues

The artwork was commissioned by the council following an Expression of Interest process held in November 2024, which saw Lionel Rose Junior as the successful artist candidate. Mayor of Baw Baw Shire Cr Danny Goss congratulated Lionel Rose Junior for his successful artwork project.

"It's great to celebrate Lionel and his fantastic original indigenous artwork which now has permanent pride of place in the centre of Warragul. This artwork continues the Rose family legacy and its deep ties to our local community."

"Thank you for sharing your talents, for skilfully representing indigenous art and culture in this piece, and for your contributions to the vibrant arts and culture we're well known for here in Baw Baw Shire," said Cr Goss.

The new facility with screen art located next to a statue of Lionel Rose at Warragul Station Park

Respecting family roots

Successful artist Lionel Rose Junior is a proud Kurnai and Gunditjmara Man from West Gippsland with artistic flair and a strong purpose behind his chosen design for this project. "The idea behind my design on this artwork was to incorporate both of our clans - Kurnai and Gunditjmara. Kurnai is my Grandmothers Tribe located in Gippsland, and Gunditjmara is my Grandfathers Tribe located in Framlingham, near Warrnambool in Victoria's west."

"I used Kurnai designs for the background that represents Kurnai and the lands we are on, and the black cockatoos are the Gunditjmara totem animals. When I heard the location of the artwork, my first thoughts were that I need to incorporate both of our clans into the artwork."

"When people read the significance behind it, I hope they learn a little bit about who we are and where our clans are from. This piece is also a way for me to pay respect to both my nan and pop, who were Uncle Lionel's mum and dad," Mr Rose said.

A render of the artwork design that is featured on the screens

Celebrating local creativity

Lionel Rose Junior has been creating indigenous artwork since he was a child. "I have always been a creative person through art or music since I was little. I really got into indigenous artwork in my teenage years when I would paint canvases with my older brother and cousin."

"I have commissioned hundreds of artworks since then, from canvas paintings, football and basketball jerseys, community projects, logos, and now digital art where it has taken my art to a new level of audience and mediums from clothing to other art projects I've been working on," said Mr Rose.

This public art collaboration proudly builds on the creative industry of the Shire which is home to a strong and vibrant arts scene, including a civic art collection of over 200 pieces composed of local, national and international artists. This extensive and diverse collection of public art reflects the various communities, history and pride of place in the region. Baw Baw Shire Council is committed to ensuring the arts are a key part of the fabric of our community.

Pictures from Baw Baw shire Council Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com