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Back Beach mural barracks for SunSmart

Callum HunterSouth Western Times
Emma Blackwell, artist Mitchell Pascoe, Cancer Council South West regional education officer Shenae Norris and Tronox general service co-ordinator Jen Schubert inspect the almost-complete mural.
Camera IconEmma Blackwell, artist Mitchell Pascoe, Cancer Council South West regional education officer Shenae Norris and Tronox general service co-ordinator Jen Schubert inspect the almost-complete mural. Credit: Callum Hunter

Regular visitors to Bunbury’s Back Beach would have noticed a new SunSmart mural painted on the side of the public toilet block.

The mural was commissioned to raise awareness of sun safety at Back Beach without forcing brochures and pamphlets in peoples’ faces, according to Cancer Council South West regional education officer Shenae Norris.

“We wanted to make it a bit more engaging with the community, so we touched base with Mitch who has done murals in the South West before and was happy to help,” she said,

Mitchell Pascoe, aided by Emma Blackwell, was the man behind the brush and described the scene as a “fun beach setting” designed to appeal to the younger generations.

“We just want to get the message across about taking care of your skin while making it fun for kids,” he said.

“Shenae asked me 18 months ago and I was stoked, I couldn’t wait to get started.”

The mural itself featured “Sid the surfing sea gull”, lathered up in SunSmart attire including a hat, umbrella and sunscreen with the words “slip, slop, slap, seek, slide” on the beach, formed out of the foam of the waves.

After more than 18 months in the pipeline, the project was funded by a $1000 grant courtesy of Tronox.

“We jumped on board because it’s a pretty big issue in society and we want to get the message out there,” general services co-ordinator Jen Schubert said.

“Lots of people get touched by cancer so slip, slop, slap is a very big message to get to children.”

Miss Norris added that the Cancer Council was incredibly grateful to Tronox and other sponsors who made the mural possible.

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