This artwork by Jenny Dawson and Sandra Hill was commissioned for the Graham Farmer Freeway public art program and is located on 2 sites, with one of the major artworks, the Coolaman (The Well Site) located at the site of an old natural spring.

The following is a direct extract from the artist’s submission describing the Coolaman (The Well Site) public artwork.
The Well Site.
Aboriginal Symbolism of Artwork Design.
The design for this artwork is symbolic of the kooliman, the oval shaped dish was made by Indigenous Australians from the bark of a tree. This utensil was very important and would have been used to carry bush foods and perhaps water to and from the natural spring, the site that we have chosen to situate this particular artwork.
The design that will be engraved and glazed onto the tiles is also significant as it depicts some of the natural food and water resources that was prolific in this area. The long necked tortoise, fish, bar-di grubs, swans, birds eggs, bush berries and other plants were plentiful throughout the area.
The Swan River winds through the centre of the mosaic and significant places are marked, such as the Causeway, Belmont Park, the boat ramp near the spring at Rivervale and the Rail Line. Perth is marked by a camp fire symbol and Spirit people as this was a very significant area for the Bibbulmun people prior to and even after European Settlement.
The trees on the left hand side of the mosaic symbolise the campsite, the oval shape is symbolic of the circle of stones that were used to signify the meeting place, the kodj (Stone axe) in the centre of this circle signify a place of the Elders, a place where warriors met, yarned and hunted. The shards of quartz surrounding the axe in the circle signify that this was a place where daily activity took place, spears were constructed and kangaroo and possum skins would have been cleaned and prepared by the Yorg’s (Bibbulmun women) to be made into Boka’s (animal skin cloaks).
The Well Site is very significant as this would have been a very important fresh water source for the Bibbulmun, combined with the prolific variety of other food resources this particular region would have been an important site for the clans of the area.
It is our belief that this particular artwork is important because it is a way of recognising and acknowledging the Aboriginal presence of this place but it also will allow future generations to gain a better understanding of the rich and diverse culture that once thrived on the doorstep of the City of Perth.
Sandra Hill 16/5/98

Aunty Sandra Hill was awarded a Red Ochre Award for Outstanding Lifetime Achievement in 2024.
Aunty Sandra Hill’s contributions to First Nations arts in Western Australia is unparalleled, and of regional, state and national historical significance. For nearly 40 years, she has mentored, influenced and trained emerging First Nations artists, worked in and supported First Nations community organisations, and inspired nationally important conversations in truth-telling, culture and contemporary arts practices.
Her arts practice saw her work featured in the finale of the National Indigenous Triennial and has seen her works acquired by several major galleries and collections in Australia and overseas. Her unique practice has involved working in three streams simultaneously over her career – cultural immersion, public arts, and fine art.
Her 52 public art works interpret significant cultural and historic sites throughout Noongar country are of immense historic value and have responded to, and expressed, the voice of the Elders and community through some of the most important periods in Western Australia. She has recently been recognised for her community contribution, taking up leadership roles on the Karri Kaarak Corporation, Southwest Land and Sea Council, Cultural Advice Committee (Native Title Prescribe Body Corporate) and the Undalup Association.

The large artwork is inscribed with the following text:

The following is inscribed in the artwork:
Artist Sandra Hill and Jenny Dawson 1999 (TEXT)
Songlines of the people paths or tracks taken that connect the camps in the Perth metro area.
The circles are campfires & campsites of the various family groups that shared the site there are 3 markers indicating the river, the spring and the traditional crossing (The Causeway). The outer circle of tiles were drawn on by the elders and members of the aboriginal community and signifies the ongoing connection to the cultural heritage of the area
The Waagyl is the spirit that created the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) the coloured circle represents the embers of the campfire. Fire was carried from camp to camp by the Nyungar people. The Spirits of the old ones hover around the inner circle and pay their respects to the Waagyl and to the earth water and sky.
This symbol represents the people seated around the campfire and is also symbolic of family and community.
Dreaming Tracks. These images represent dreaming tracks and songlines of the people, paths
This artwork represents traditional Aboriginal Campsites that was located near this site. The bibbulmun people of Perth have utilised this site for thousands of years and continue to do so until more recent times.
The stones at the centre of the mosaic represent eggs in a nest. The Waagyl wraps itself around the nest, a symbol of home and hearth and regeneration.