The story behind the Good Spirit Good Life Centre of Research Excellence's logo

Wattle is a plant that has for thousands of years provided food and sustenance to Noongar people. Noongar people who live on the coast would be most familiar with the Wilyawa or the red eye wattle (Acacia cyclops), while Noongar people who reside more inland and in the Wheatbelt have the Mungart or raspberry jam wattle.

Both wattles can be distinguished by their seeds. The Wilyawa seeds sit within a red circle inside its pod giving it its name the red eye wattle. While the Mungart (Acacia acuminata) seeds are distinguishable by their long and narrow seed pods, its name the raspberry jam wattle originating from the sweet aroma that appears when cutting its wood.  

Both wattles have been a source of bush tucker providing sustenance to Noongar people for thousands of years. Noongars would eat the seeds within the pods or grind them down to a fine powder to make damper (bread). These wattles are an example of the connection between country, culture, knowledge, body, mind and spirit.

There are twelve pods in the logo six from each wattle and each representing the twelve factors that contribute to a good spirit and good life for older Aboriginal people. The pods have been arranged into the shape of a sun which provides life to Country, its heat forcing the pods to open presenting the seeds to be consumed.  The seeds from the outer pods all feed into the centre which represents the self and are all interconnected with one another, symbolised by the orange and yellow bands.

We thank the very talented Mr Kevin Taylor (Noongar and Yamatji) for his design and extend our thanks to our Elders Governance Group for their input and feedback.