Published on Thursday, 4 December 2025 at 8:41:07 AM

Mundaring Arts Centre Media Release

The Mundaring town centre once again comes alive with festive joy as the annual Christmas Tree takes its place in the Shire of Mundaring gardens.

Following a 36-year tradition, Mundaring Arts Centre engaged celebrated local painter, Ric Burkitt to work with over 100 students from Chidlow primary School. The students were invited to express their creativity and cheer to decorate nearly four hundred recycled canvas leaves for the tree.

With assistance from local artist, Mary Ann Dawson, Burkitt led students from all grades, pre-primary to year 6, in sessions where they depicted and decorated an array of quintessential hills fauna with bright colours and patterns. Adorned with the quenda, snake, frog, duck, cow and the humble cat, the Mundaring Tree highlights the familiar creatures we often encounter throughout the shire.

“This year’s theme is a simple reminder that our Shire is alive with wildlife and beloved family pets — and that there’s plenty we can do to help them cope with the hot summer that arrives over the Christmas period.

We can offer shade, leave out fresh water, clean and refill bird baths, and bring our pets indoors during the hottest part of the day. Small, thoughtful actions like these can make a big difference.

Our community is home to countless animals — so let’s take care of them all this Christmas and help every creature thrive through the season.” Ric Burkitt

Heralding the start of Birak, the Noongar season of the young, the five-metre-tall tree stands afront the Shire of Mundaring Administration Building on Great Eastern Highway, a beacon of joy and unity on the doorstep of the town centre.

This project, supported by the Shire of Mundaring, the Mundaring Arts Centre and local primary schools, showcases the creative spirit of children as they brighten the Mundaring town centre for all to enjoy and celebrate.

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