Equal Access for Autism Limited (EAFA)  organised a special art activity on March 25 at Brush By The Vines Studio in Mill Park with five autistic boys, Dominic, Angus, Marco, Dylan and Daniel who have all been friends for many years.  The boys attended Bulleen Heights together since their foundation year and are now at the senior campus.  The painting activity was led by Aboriginal Elder and artist, Stan Dryden (Yarramunua) who, together with the boys and members of their families all joined in to produce a painting that was auctioned at the EAFA  gala event on April 1st for $40,000.  Stan Yarramunua started painting more than 30 years ago, and began selling paintings, didgeridoos and clapsticks at markets and galleries. He built strong relationships with Aboriginal desert artists, representing their work in Melbourne.  Founding members of EAFA, Mick and Cheryl Gatto, who are Dominic’s grandparents, joined in with the boys with all the budding artists signing the back of the painting with their handprint and name.

Stan explained the meaning of the four symbols in the painting - the goanna is the journey, the turtle is love, the platypus is wisdom and the fish is freedom representing the coming together against the Milky Way all for a good cause.