Waverley Gardens is on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation. We pay our respect to the traditional owners, their elders past & present, and value their care and custodianship of these lands. We also acknowledge all First Nations peoples living upon the lands within which we operate.

We are excited to bring the Drawing Us Together initiative to Waverley Gardens, a project that celebrates indigenous culture through the creation of a children’s story book written by Indigenous student authors, in partnership with Bandu and illustrated by local school students.

In celebration of NAIDOC Week 2026, we are proud to have partnered with student authors, each sharing their unique and inspiring stories that connect to this year's NAIDOC theme: '50 Years of Deadly.' Joined by our local primary schools, students were asked to submit a series of artwork to be featured as the illustrations within our community story book. A selection of illustrations have been chosen as finalists and we’ll need your help to decide on the final illustrations to be included in the book.

Participating schools in 2026 are Silverton Primary School and Carwatha College 

To lodge your vote* for your favourite illustration, simply find the exhibition in centre from 30 June until 28 July, located near BIG W, scan the QR code and then fill out the registration form which lets you select which school and piece of artwork you’d like to see featured in the story book. It’s as easy as visiting us in centre to vote, share and support your local schools!

Celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders across the community by getting involved today!

*One vote per person