Koort Boodja (Heart Land)

Maali Deadly Yorgas

Title: Koort Boodja (Heart Land)

Artist/s: Maali Deadly Yorgas

Year: 2025

Category: Integrated

Site: Midland Bus Interchange

Location Details: Canopy panels, eastern arbor.

Medium: Laser-cut aluminium

Artist/s Statement:

In this artwork, the yorgas (women/girls) spoke about their deep connection to the boodjar (land), our ngangk (mother), and what it represents. Djookians (sisters) telling their stories, from young to old. Midland is the koort boodja (heartland) the centre of mandjar (meeting places), campsites, where there were gatherings and ceremonies with an abundance of flora and fauna to been seen in plain sight.

Women's business often took place along the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) around and under the big eucalyptus (Jarrah) trees, close to the fresh resources from kep (water), djildjit (fish), booyi (long neck turtles) to yongka (kangaroo) & weitj (emu). They prepared merenj (food) whilst taking care of their koolangkas (children). From the karda (hills) of many balak (balga trees) where the waarltij (eagles), djidi-djidi (willy wagtails) and koolbardi (magpies) fly over Midland to the bilya (river) of maali (swans), gilgies and freshwater animals, Midland is the KOORT BOODJA (Heartland)

The Maali Deadly Yorga Women’s Group is a group of local, Midland-based Aboriginal Women who connect through cultural and creative activities on a fortnightly basis.

The Public Transport Authority acknowledge that Noongar languages are oral in nature and that one word can be spelt in multiple ways.