Created by artist Dale Austin, the Xray Kangaroo recycled plastic mat tells the story that comes from the Clans of the Gagadju (Kakadu).
All of our Indigenous designs have been created with a story or meaning behind them. Dale explains: “In the creation time when the Earth Mother Warramurrungundji walked across the land placing clans, planting food and releasing animals onto the lifeless country, the first ancestral animals helped shape the country as they were giant.
One of these ancestral animals was Garndagidj known to Balanda (non-Aboriginal) as Antilopine Walleroo, a smaller cousin to the Kangaroo and bigger than the Wallaby.
As Garndagidj travelled the country he left huge depressions and created small outcrops of escarpment. In his travels he noticed a rock that was like no other in one of his tracks that he left. When he picked it up he noticed that it was different in colour and texture. He dusted his paws off but the colour stayed on.
This was the first Delek (Ochre). He travelled to all the clans showing them and giving it to them, to put to use. This is now known as white ochre, used with the other 3 colours Gunrodjbe (red), Banja (yellow) and Gunyirrge (black) commonly used throughout Gagadju and Arnhemland to paint the stories, totems and body for ceremonies.”
Like all our recycled mats, 'X-Ray Kangaroo' is hard-wearing and easy to clean – wipe away dirt and dust, or hose it off and dry it in the shade. Made from recycled plastics, it's light enough to carry or fold up for transport or storage, so you can move it from ‘home corner’ to ‘story corner’ or even outside for a picnic lunch. Take it camping for a soft, comfortable floor inside your tent, or perhaps alongside your camper trailer to give you a little extra living space for meals and relaxing.
If you're here gearing up for your outdoor adventure, have you looked at our doormats to keep the outdoors outside (the turf ones work extra well!). Our portable picnic tables are also a great addition. You can use them for so many things; They provide a flat usable surface anywhere you might need it - like somewhere to pop your marshmallows by the campfire, or an assistant for holding your bush tucker!
As with most of the styles in our entire range of recycled plastic mats, this design is reversible. Not only does it extend the longevity of the mat, it effectively means two designs for the price of one!
Our mats make the perfect addition to any educational setting and can help facilitate so many learning opportunities. Click here for an interesting read about teaching Aboriginal culture in primary school.
We're now exploring how we can 're-recycle' your unwanted mats! Our exciting initiative for re-purposing and re-using them is a must-read.