This traditional Aboriginal coolamon is one of 300 that were used in the 550 medal presentation ceremonies at the Sydney Paralympic Games. One hundred and fifty larger coolamons, including this example, were used to carry bouquets and team medals while 150 smaller coolamons were used to carry medals for individual athletes. (An example of the smaller coolamon - 2001/84/314 - is also in the Sydney 2000 Games Collection.) Over 30 venues hosted Paralympic events with each venue receiving at least one large and one small coolamon for their medal presentations.

Indigenous artist, Gavin Flick, and his son, Jai Rose, carved the coolamons in 1999 from a variety of native woods. Daughter, Jade Rose, applied the traditional painted designs signifying 'coming together for ceremony'. Together, their work reflects their filiations with the Kamilaroi Language Group in north-western New South Wales. Also contributing to the project, Flick's brother collected the pieces of wood during his trips to the bush.

As part of the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee (SPOC), the Ceremonies Division orchestrated the medal presentation ceremonies, selecting the medal designs, the podium designs, bouquets of native flowers and uniforms for the medal bearers and flower bearers. In addition, it invited 850 students to present medals and bouquets to athletes finishing in first, second and third positions, and requested members of the Australian Defence Force to raise the national flags.

Indigenous artist, Gavin Flick, and his son, Jai Rose, carved the coolamons in 1999 from a variety of native woods. Daughter, Jade Rose, applied the traditional painted designs signifying 'coming together for ceremony'. Together, their work reflects their filiations with the Kamilaroi Language Group in north-western New South Wales.

Indigenous artist, Gavin Flick, and his son, Jai Rose, carved 150 small and 150 large coolamons in 1999 from a variety of native woods. Daughter, Jade Rose, applied the traditional painted designs.

This traditional Aboriginal coolamon is one of 300 that were used in the 550 medal presentation ceremonies at the Sydney Paralympic Games. One hundred and fifty larger coolamons were used to carry bouquets and team medals while 150 smaller coolamons, including this example, were used to carry medals for individual athletes.

Made for and owned by the Sydney Paralympic Organising Committee, and donated to the Powerhouse Museum after use at the Games.

Coolamon, wood/acrylic paint, crafted by Gavin Flick and Jai Rose, painted by Jade Rose, used at medal presentation ceremonies, Paralympic Games, Sydney, 2000

Coolamon, large, wood and acrylic paint. Carved out of one piece of wood into a concave oval shape. Decorated with an Aboriginal dot painting design. The background of the coolamon is painted ochre. The dot design consists of white dots around the edge of the coolamon and a dot pattern featuring clusters of mustard, yellow and brown dots down both sides of the coolamon. Within the dot pattern down each side of the coolamon are three symbols in ochre and each outlined in white - an oval, a curved 'c' shape and a stripe. The dot design is outlined with white dots and meets at a white circle in the middle of the coolamon. The back is painted ochre and chisel marks can be seen on the back of the Coolamon.

Made: 2000

2001/84/315

2000

290 mm