Telling the 'Be Crocwise' story through art

The NT Parks and Wildlife Community Engagement team takes all-important Be Crocwise messages to communities across the Top End, talking to everyone about how to stay safe while living in croc country. To make sure that everyone in the audience understands what we have to say it is vital that, wherever possible, the Be Crocwise message is delivered using the voices and stories of people from their own communities. 

In regional and remote NT many students and their teachers use languages other than English in their learning.  It is important to our team, and to the schools and their communities, that Be Crocwise presentations and messages are able to reach the target audiences and convene the message they set out to. 

Sharona Bishop, an Aboriginal artist from the remote Bob’s Yard outstation in Judbarra / Gregory National Park, has designed and produced a unique and very beautiful artwork portraying traditional safety messages relating to the dangers that saltwater crocodiles pose to people hunting and fishing in Top End waterways. The artwork is being printed onto yarning circle mats that will be used in classrooms during Be Crocwise visits, providing a resource to school staff who can interpret the messages using their own perspective, stories and language. 

Staying safe around saltwater crocodiles is our own responsibility, and everyone’s business. Ensuring that all voices are heard while we tell the crocodile story will help us keep our kids safe.