Colour, Connection and 60 Years of Rosary

From left to right - Petra Cole [Rosary Primary School Principal], Alison Percival [The Tradies CEO], John Voir [Artist]

For 60 years, Rosary Primary School has been a much-loved part of Canberra’s north, shaping generations of students, families and parish members through faith, learning and community connection. 

As part of the school’s 60th anniversary celebrations, a vibrant new mural now welcomes students and visitors — a lasting tribute to the school’s history, values and future. 

Created by Canberra-based artist John Voir, the mural was designed in close collaboration with the school community. Rich in colour and symbolism, it reflects Rosary’s spirit of care, growth, belonging and faith, while celebrating the many people who have helped shape the school over the past six decades. 

Principal Petra Cole said the mural captures the heart of the Rosary community. 

“As part of our 60th anniversary, it brings together our past, present and future in one shared image,” Petra said. 

“It really is symbolic of our 60 years of growth, care and faith that have shaped our school and captures our belief that education is about forming compassionate, thoughtful people who contribute positively to the world around them.” 

The project began through conversations between the school and John, who spent time listening to stories, exploring Rosary’s values and understanding what the community wanted the artwork to represent. 

For John, who also works as a teacher, creating art within school communities carries particular meaning. 

“What I love about projects like this is they’re never just mine,” he said. 

"I worked closely with the school to understand what matters to them, then turned that into something visual the whole community can connect with.”

Since its completion, the mural has quickly become a much-loved feature of the school. Students stop to point out details within the artwork, families gather nearby before and after school, and staff see it as a visible reminder of the shared purpose that connects the community. 

Public art has a unique way of bringing people together. It creates spaces that feel welcoming and familiar, sparks conversation and helps communities see themselves reflected in the places they share. 

That sense of connection is one of the reasons The Tradies was proud to support the project as part of Rosary’s 60th anniversary celebrations. Supporting local schools, artists and community initiatives helps strengthen the relationships and shared experiences that make Canberra’s inner north such a special place to live. 

As John explains, art within schools can leave a lasting impact on young people and the broader community alike. 

“When people see themselves reflected in a space, they connect with it more,” he said. 

“That’s especially powerful in schools, where it can inspire students every day.” 

At Rosary, the mural now stands as a bright tribute to 60 years of learning, friendship, faith and community — and a reminder that the story of the school continues to grow with every new generation that walks through its gates. 

From all of us at The Tradies, congratulations to Rosary Primary School on 60 wonderful years. Here’s to the next chapter — full of colour, connection and community spirit.