University Sculptures at Churchlands Green
- Editor
- Jan 27
- 7 min read
Updated: Feb 28
Churchlands Green features a series of academic sculptures that were part of a commemorative art project for the City of Stirling in 2010. Created by local artists Arif Satar and Audrey Fernandes-Satar, these memorials honour the Edith Cowan University (ECU) Churchlands Campus that previously occupied the site.
In 2010, two new 'stacked book' sculptures were added to the existing collection of sculptures.
"To symbolise this unique heritage the two sculptures have been designed in the form of concrete-cast stacked books embellished with histories, words and images of people associated with Edith Cowan University,'' Churchlands Green project manager Nick Allen said.
"Accompanying the two sculptures, are a series of stainless steel plaques. Displayed as pages of a book, each plaque provides background information on the Churchlands Campus, concentrating on its strong heritage in teaching and nursing."
The ECU Churchlands Campus was closed in 2008 and was subsequently demolished to make way for the Churchlands Green residential estate.
The academic sculpture series commemorate the site's unique educational heritage. The collection includes:
Refurbished campus amphitheatre
3 stainless steel plaques
2 concrete-cast sculptures of stacked books
1 set of wooden sculptures (removed in 2020)
1. TRIBUTE TO BUILDING 9: LEARNING SUPPORT
This concrete memorial sits close to the corner of University Avenue and Alumni Terrace. The sculpture contains a plaque with staff member recollections about the nursing building, the tranquil bushland, and the Rotunda building.
The full text of the sculpture can be seen below:
The Nursing building was a strange shape, like a giant capital D with one long corridor and three shorter ones at angles. The central courtyard garden was a lunchtime haven, and it was amazing to see some old photos showing just how much the plants had grown over the years. The many doors certainly made it hard to evacuate everyone during emergency drills - as we cleared people out, more kept coming in behind us! Even with all the doors the corridors could get very dark after hours, which could make superstitious people quite nervous.
...My most prominent memory of Churchlands campus is the trees. All the tall gums, all over the campus - it was always shady, green and peaceful. From Pearson Street the grounds locked almost like a forest. Everyone always commented on how tranquil Churchlands campus felt. There was even a mulberry tree hidden in a corner beside the old animal house, which yielded a few Buckets full of sweet, illicit berries now and then... plus trails of bright purple bird poo over half the
carpus pavement!
(Nardia Bordas, staff member 2011)
Another feature building was the Rotunda, attached to the lecture theatre compress, sofas a state of the art Kevlar roof that wasn't entirely waterproof it provided a home for many of the local pigeons.
Churchlands Teachers College was amalgamated with other Colleges to form the Western Australian College of Advanced Education and later became a campus of Edith Cowan University.
Overall the campus and its facilities provided staff and students with a pleasant, safe, practical workplace and many great memories.
(Staff member, 2011)
2. TRIBUTE TO BUILDING 10: CAFETERIA
This concrete memorial sits alongside University Avenue, close to the intersection with Paperheath Parade. The tribute contains a plaque with staff member recollections about the library and the birdlife around the campus.
The full text of the sculpture can be seen below: ...When I think of the Library, I picture the gigantic air conditioning pipes hanging from the walls and ceiling. They were colour coded for various zones and spread out over the interior space like a vast rainbow-coloured octopus. The only discussion room was in a dark, poky corridor downstairs; it took me years to find it hidden away behind a nondescript door, I wonder how many students never knew it was there! The small sunken eating area just inside the door was always well-used, full of people eating and chatting. In spring the younger set liked to lounge on the grass outside... until the birds in the trees above reminded them who really owned the campus. (Nardia Bordas, staff member 2011)
I worked at the Churchlands Campus in the 1970s and 1980s, in the parking department. I have very fond memories of this area for its wonderful bird life and I did make many friends with the Owls, Parrots and Magpies, plus many other birds species and reptiles. Many of these creatures would welcome me on my daily walks around the area, and in some cases follow me during the day.
The Campus was just like one great big park in which was my work place and a privilege to work
in and I hope future generations can enjoy it as I did.
(Trevor Padusta, 2011)
3. TRIBUTE TO BUILDING 3: TEACHER EDUCATION
This concrete memorial sits within the basketball court alongside Alumni Terrace and contains a plaque with staff member recollections about the animal houses, the Churchlands Teachers College, and the science building.
The full text of the sculpture can be seen below:
...Outside, there was a glasshouse, a greenhouse and vegetable garden. The fishpond and animal houses with their rabbits, mice, guinea pigs and birds completed the student resources - all (except the biting pink and grey galah) available to the students for loan during their practice periods out in the state's primary classrooms. (Associate Professor Adrianne Kinnear, 2011)
Churchlands Teachers College began in the old brick and tile primary school buildings, a couple of offices and a few class rooms the perimeter of a classic school quadrangle.
The site was developed with new buildings springing up between expansive lawn areas, numerous trees and some bush land. The area towards the boundary of the campus and the proposed Stephenson Freeway was previously the home to sections of the WA Police including the mounted horse and licensing division. During earthworks many old vehicle registration plates, horse shoes and bottles were uncovered.
(Staff Member, 2011)
....Uniquely designed for open-plan teaching, the Science Building provided all the resources for students learning to teach children science. Inside, the large central space provided the heart for the teaching activity. There were wet areas, dry areas, and special spaces for "doing" all kinds of science. There were three large seated areas for teaching and discussion. These could be daunting for the "new lecturer" but helped develop a culture of openness of ideas and teaching methods between us all. The darkroom, library areas, kitchen, and large science storerooms housed rich arrays of resources for primary science.
(Associate Professor Adrianne Kinnear, 2011)
4. CAMPUS AMPHITHEATRE
The iconic amphitheatre of the ECU Churchlands Campus was refurbished to form a landmark relic within the Churchlands Green estate. Located in the heart of Edith Cowan Reserve, the amphitheatre contains academic texts and book sculptures.
5. STACKED BOOK SCULPTURE ALONG APPLEBERRY STREET
This sculpture includes information on both sides about the different colleges that existed on the site, a campus map, and a list of different units offered at the ECU Churchlands Campus.
The relevant text of the sculpture can be seen below: In 1972 Churchlands Teachers College was established on this site, in 1981 it became part of the West Australian College of Advanced Education and in 1995 renamed Edith Cowan University. Churchlands College Handbook & Calendar 1981, p. ix)
Please note: The WA College of Advanced Education was actually renamed Edith Cowan University in 1991. LAW2200 COMMERICAL LAWII
LAW2400 COMMERCIAL LAWII
ART GB426 DRAWING
PHY EDC226 TEACHING SWIMMING
MUSIC GB212 PIANO
ART GB451 SCULPTURE
NBS4440BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE1
SCIENCE GA419 SCIENCE AND YOU
INF 226O SYSTEMS DESIGN
PHY ED C224 TEACHING HEALTH
6. STACKED BOOK SCULPTURE ALONG NEEDLEWOOD ROAD
This sculpture includes information about Edith Cowan, information about the different colleges, a campus map, and a list of different units offered at the ECU Churchlands Campus.
The relevant text of the sculpture can be seen below:
Edith Dircksey Cowan was born at Glengarry Station near Geraldton on 2 August 1861. In her early teens her parents died in tragic circumstances, leaving her with responsibility for four younger brothers and sisters. This experience inspired in her a lifelong interest in the welfare of disadvantaged women and children.
She married James Cowan, a respected public servant and magistrate in 1879. She was the first woman to enter the Parliament anywhere in Australia. During her term, she made important amendments to the Guidance of Infants Act 1922 which allowed women to apply to the courts if their husbands left them without adequate maintenance, and in 1923 contributed to the passing of the Women's Legal Status Bill [1923] opening the legal and other professions to Western Australian women for the first time.
In 1926 she was the founder of the Royal Historical Society and in her later years worked for funds for students to attend universities. It was therefore appropriate that the University with a commitment to breaking down social barriers and pioneering new pathways into tertiary education should be named after her. Edith Cowan died on 9 June1932 aged seventy-one. A memorial in the form of a clock tower was unveiled at the entrance to Kings Park on 9 June 1934.
(In: Bolton, G. & Byrne G. 2001, The Campus That Never Stood Still. Edith Cowan University, Churchlands, WA)
In 1972 Churchlands Teachers College was established on this site. In 1981 it became part of the West Australian College of Advanced Education and in 1995 renamed Edith Cowan University.
Please note: The WA College of Advanced Education was actually renamed Edith Cowan University in 1991. LAW2400 TAXATION LAW II
NNS1110 NURSING SCIENCE 1
NBS1110BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE1
SCN 1110 HEALTH SCIENCE1
THEATRE GB315 INSIDE THE PLAY INF2160 SYSTEMS ANALYSIS II
LAW2130 CONSUMER LAWII
7. COLLECTION OF WOODEN SCULPTURES
These sculptures entitled 'Flock' were created by Don Walters and were made of painted wood, steel, and concrete. The were located on the corner of Empire Avenue and University Avenue but according to Google Maps, the sculptures were removed around 2020.
Arif Satar and Audrey Fernandes-Satar are visual artists living and working in Fremantle. Across sculpture, drawing, text, printmaking, sound, and the moving image, Satar and Fernandes-Satar draw from ancestral stories, rituals, and crafting techniques to create a rich dialogue between the past and the present.
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