ART WALL LAUNCH
Careel Bay Tennis Club is proud to be part of an outstanding initiative supporting 2026 Youth Week, with the unveiling on May 1 of an artwork mural on the west-facing wall of the Clubhouse. Funded by the Northern Beaches Council, with base paint donated by Johnson Bros Hardware, the mural was the result of many months of discussions between the Club and Council. This wall has long been a target for graffiti and a professionally executed mural is a proactive and proven strategy for deterring tagging, reducing constant cleaning costs for Council.
Involving youth community groups such as Streetwork and Beaches Youth Hub was a fantastic way to engage local teenagers in a constructive community project. With a Club request that the artwork have abstract references to tennis and the local area, Northern Beaches Council’s Cameron Wall (Community Arts & Culture) commissioned the mural from Paul Westage, a world-renowned graffiti artist known as “Unique”. Paul designed and completed the painting with the assistance of Sam, known as “Renz”, one of the teenagers Streetwork first met several years ago.
An enthusiastic group of about 40 people gathered at CBTC on Friday May 1 to celebrate the official unveiling of the mural. Guests included Mayor Sue Heins, councillor Rowie Dillon, Community Development Officer Cameron Wall and others from the NB Council Community Arts & Culture, Streetwork and Beaches Youth Hub representatives, James Johnson from Johnson Bros Hardware, Barrenjoey High School Year 12 students and Student Support Officer Huzzy Rodriguez and CBTC President Steve Koolloos, Vice-President Michelle Lusty, Committee and general members.
Speeches from Mayor Heins, Streetwork’s Tom Dent and artist Renz reminded everyone how valuable the work is from organisations assisting our vulnerable youth, and the efforts that are being made to turn their lives around. The mural had a fabulous reception, being a bold abstract with green and yellow tennis ball-like circles on a striking orange, black and white background.
A big thanks to NB Council and specifically to Cameron Wall for getting the project up and running, to Johnson Bros for their continued great support of our local community and to Paul & Sam for their fantastic artwork. The Club would also like to thank our resident chef Chris Contro for the wonderful food provided at the event.
Careel Bay Tennis Club is thrilled to have been part of this wonderful initiative and hopes the local community will enjoy the resulting mural. If you would like more information on the terrific work done by Streetwork and Beaches Youth Hub, please visit their websites:
