This year has been a big one for our Palm Island Community Development team, as reflected in their amazing achievements in our Annual Report, the success of the Lost Artists of Palm Island Exhibition, along with the team winning Campbell Page Business of the Year at this year’s Best Awards.

The Palm Island Community Development Programme has always been led by members of the Palm Island Community, with the support of Campbell Page backing them along the way. That’s why we are excited to be able to launch the Palm Island Community Development Programme sunset icon, symbolic of the beauty of the island and the community itself.

This sunset icon was produced together with Ian Palmer from the team and the Palm Island Community. That’s right, the talented artist behind the Campbell Page Acknowledgement of Country was also commissioned to produce this important icon to represent his community.

Ian Palmer, Artist, receiving thank you certificate
Ian pictured with Nathan Vinson (CDP Program Manager), being presented with a Thank you certificate for his amazing contribution to both projects!

When I was eleven years old my grandmother used to take me fishing early mornings before the sun came up. I always wondered why we went so early to go fishing. My grandmother was a short but fit old lady, she was able to row myself and my younger brother out to her favourite fishing spot.

On the horizon, the sun began to rise and I saw the beauty of it all… the stars began to fade and amazing colours appeared in the shadow of Palm Island. I wanted to share this with everyone in my painting. -Ian Palmer, Artist

The Night Sky, as painted by Ian Palmer
The Nigh Sky, as painted by Ian Palmer

Ian’s artistic vision depicted in the painting has now been transformed into a symbolic image to represent the community. Together with Ian, the elements of the painting have been used to represent the sunset thumb print identity mark pictured on the icon, symbolising the people of Palm Island.

The Background: Shows how the star fades in the sky as the sun rises.
The Shadow: My Island Home Palm Island.
The Water and Shadowing: The journey we go through life ups and downs.
The painting is also in the memory of my loving Grandmother Veronica James.
-Ian Palmer, Artist

The Island is the centre piece of the icon, demonstrating how the program is run by it’s people. Finally, the water is reflected in the Campbell Page blue of the icon, demonstrating how we are there to support the community through ups and downs along the way.

The Palm Island Community Development Programme (CDP) is a remote employment and community development service. Palm Island CDP aims to help people find work, while allowing them to contribute to their communities and gain skills at the same time. To find out more visit our CDP page or Contact us.