*Warning: This webpage includes the images and story of a deceased First Nations woman.
Lilardia is a vibrant mural celebrating one of Australia’s earliest Aboriginal activists, Aunty Margaret (Lilardia) Tucker MBE, and her lifelong work towards a more equal and understanding society.
The mural and creative team
The vibrant mural stands 12 metres wide and 9 metres high in Lilardia Park, Footscray in the City of Maribyrnong on Wurundjeri Country, honouring Aunty Marge’s legacy. Lilardia is Aunty Marge’s traditional name, meaning ‘water flower’. The park was named for Aunty Marge in 2023.
The artwork was produced by Grace Dlabik of BE.ONE.Creative and brought to life by an all-women Indigenous team led by Wiradjuri artist Jessi Rebel, alongside Kee'ahn Bindol, Kiri Wicks and Emma Ismawi.
The artists worked in close collaboration with Aunty Marge’s family.
A closer look
The mural incorporates elements deeply connected to Aunty Marge’s life, Country and values. The flowing river represents the nearby Maribyrnong River and the imagery of lilardia flowers is a key design feature. The animals represent Aunty Marge’s totem (Yorta Yorta – the long-neck turtle) and her two Countries (Yorta Yorta and Wiradjeri – the brolga).
The artwork also features a quote in her own words.
Take a closer look at images of Lilardia.
A story of strength and courage
Aunty Marge was dedicated to creating a more equal and understanding society than the one she experienced.
Born in an Aboriginal Mission in 1904, Aunty Marge was a survivor of the Stolen Generations. She was removed from her family as a child and placed in Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls at age 13.
Aunty Marge’s experience in the home and as a domestic servant led her to advocate for First Nations rights, health and equality from the 1930s. Among her many achievements, she was the first woman on the Victorian Aboriginal Welfare Board and was a member of the Federal Council of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, which helped secure equal voting rights for Aboriginal people.
She also helped establish the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and founded the Margaret Tucker Hostel for vulnerable women and children, which still operates today.
Find out more
The Lilardia mural is part of the Victorian Women’s Public Art Program, which aims to address the under‑representation of women’s contributions in public art and ensures stories like Aunty Marge’s are permanently and publicly recognised.
The program is funded by the Victorian Government's Community Support Fund and runs in partnership with the McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery. McClelland supports contemporary artists to develop, create and present their work, and manages a range of programs to commission artwork.
Explore more stories of remarkable Victorian women and public art through our Spotlight on Victorian women in public art and the Victorian Honour Roll for Women.
