The artwork, which will include 12 panels and measure three metres by five metres, is a collaboration between TIDE (Taree Indigenous Development and Employment) and a number of schools.

As part of the project, kindergarten and some year one indigenous students from Taree West Public School attended their first session, led by Biripi elder Aunty Fay Ridgeway, to learn about Aboriginal art.

"We are teaching them how to do cultural painting," she said.

"In Aboriginal painting, we didn't have supermarkets so we painted with what was around us, feathers or sticks or bits of grass and we'd strip the grass and make it into a paintbrush.

"The first lesson is painting emus, boomerangs, sharks and turtles (on wooden cut outs by Taree Men's Shed) using paintbrushes, sticks, chalk and paint.

"Every class will do this first and they're only allowed to paint Aboriginal painting on it, that's what it's about. They will be taking them home."

The mural design is by artist Gina Varagnolo and includes a big circle, with five large sharks around it and baby sharks in the middle.

"It's the parents circling around the babies, protecting the babies," said Aunty Fay.

"When the mural comes together, every school has their mark on it."

The creative kids project is part of TIDE's PaCE (Parent and Community Engagement) program, which is designed build a connection to country for Aboriginal children and give them a chance to learn more about their heritage.

Last year there was a focus on food and this year it is about creative arts.

"We've worked with the PaCE program to get students learning about their culture and work with the community," said Joy Redman, the instructional leader from Taree West Public School, who co-ordinates the Aboriginal programs at the school.

A number of the mural panels have already been painted, with contributions from Cundletown Public School, Chatham High, Wingham High and St Clare's.

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