A story time mural has been painted at the Mareeba Airport which depicts the 'natural calendar of seasons' relating to the early history of the Mareeba District.

The mural was completed by Aboriginal artist Ann-Marie Keating and can be seen on the wall of the departure room at the Mareeba Airport.

The mural Mrs. Keating has painted tells the story of how different migratory birds brought with them a change between the wet and dry seasons; this story has been passed down through the Koko-Muluridji people for many years.

“During the wet, Brolgas and Pelicans from the coast follow the river system feeding along the river and billabongs all the way to Lake Eyre,” Mrs. Keating said.

“When our wet season ends first come the black cockatoos which are running away from the rain in Papua New Guinea, then mutton birds, magpie geese , galahs and corellas are all following the food sources.”

Both Gullara and Jillahkull, Mrs. Keating’s daughters, had a hand in creating the story-time mural which is dedicated to late Elder Mervyn Riley.

Mareeba Shire Council proudly funded the mural through the Regional Arts Development Fund; the Regional Arts Development Fund is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Mareeba Shire Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.