The vibrant half-court basketball mural celebrating the endangered South-Eastern Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo at Naracoorte’s Market Square Recreation Area is more than just public art – it is a story of conservation, community, and connection.

That story has now been recognised on the international stage, with the art installation named Project of the Year at the 2026 Sport Group Asia Pacific Project Partner Awards in Macau.

Completed late last year by Communities in Colour artists Travis Thompson and Jimmy Brooks, the mural was made possible through funding from Naracoorte Lucindale Council’s Community Art Fund.

Members of the council’s After School Art Club also played a hands-on role, adding the finishing touches to the colourful artwork.

The project transformed a traditional basketball court into a vibrant community space that celebrates creativity, environmental awareness, and local pride.

This article appeared in The Naracoorte News, 1 July 2026.