Erebus unveils Mimih spirit-inspired livery

Erebus Motorsport will carry Mimih spirit-inspired artwork at this weekend’s inaugural Indigenous Round.

Both Boost Mobile Commodores will carry artwork designed by Bininj artist Dale Austin.

Austin’s artwork is influenced by his culture of West Arnhem and Kakadu.

It features male and female Mimih spirits, which to the Bininj people, were original spirit beings who taught people how to survive in the bush.

Erebus, in conjunction with title partner Boost Mobile, also announced a donation $10,000 to the Starlight Foundation’s Healthier Futures Initiative.

Austin explained how the Mimih spirit is “highly regarded” in West Arnhem Kakadu culture.

"Our style of art is always very well known as one of the most continuous styles that has gone fairly unchanged,” he said.

“There is always a male and female side to learning and teaching within our culture and the Mimih spirits represent the combining of that knowledge.

“People say that the Mimihs were spirit beings but they’re actually the ancestral spirits of all the previous people that passed on that knowledge.

“By displaying our culture on these vehicles, it lets people know that we’re still here and we’re still strong even after the atrocities of the past and the hurdles we still face today.

“It’s a great way to showcase the past, the present and the future.”

Austin runs activities from the Starlight room at Royal Darwin Hospital.

“Starlight does a lot for Aboriginal children who come into the hospital service,” he said.

“They help make sure they’re comfortable because the hospital can be very daunting so it’s important to make sure that the parents are communicated with properly because if they’re not comfortable, the children won’t get the services they need.

"I teach children that are in the hospital about cultural painting and the significance of all the different colours and figures.

"I teach them about the Bininj perspective on West Arnhem land."

Erebus’ Managing Director Shannen Kiely added: "We are very fortunate to have worked alongside Dale and to learn about his culture.

“The symbolic meaning behind Dale’s design runs deep in everything we do and for every member of our team.

“The theme acknowledges teamwork and the passing down of knowledge and as a team we learn from each other and past experiences to continuously improve.

“We are very proud to not only run this artwork, but to be making a contribution to help make a difference in the lives of Indigenous children.

“The Starlight Foundation’s Healthier Futures Initiative is close to Dale’s heart and helps reduce the significant gap between the health status of Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.”

Brodie Kostecki and Will Brown are eighth and 15th respectively in the points standings.

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