In 2026, Swan Valley Anglican Community School is celebrating a significant milestone: its 20th anniversary. Over two decades, the School has continued to grow as a place of learning, connection and shared purpose, set within the unique landscape of the Swan Valley.
While the School’s history spans 20 years, it stands on land that has been cared for by the Whadjuk Noongar people for tens of thousands of years. Honouring this enduring cultural connection has been a central feature of the School’s anniversary celebrations.
As part of the milestone, the School commissioned a large‑scale artwork by Aboriginal artist Richard Websdale, titled ‘Heartbeat of the Valley’. The artwork reflects the deep cultural significance of the Swan River as a place of life, ceremony, gathering and knowledge‑sharing for Noongar people, symbolising the enduring heartbeat of Country and the role of its first caretakers.
The original artwork is now displayed in the School’s Boardroom, with a print also featured at the entrance to the Collaboration and Creativity Centre, allowing students, staff, families and visitors to engage with the work on a daily basis.
Principal Ms Melissa Powell described the importance of the commission:
‘Heartbeat of the Valley reminds us of our responsibility to honour the story of the land on which the school stands. It connects our 20‑year journey as a school with a much deeper history of care, learning and stewardship.’
To further mark the anniversary, a specially designed 20th anniversary staff polo shirt has been created, incorporating elements of the artwork. Staff will wear the shirt throughout 2026 and beyond as a visible celebration of both the school’s milestone and its ongoing commitment to place, connection and reconciliation.
