In a vibrant blend of sport, health, art, and culture, City in The Community is scoring goals far beyond the pitch through its community initiative, Healthy Goals.
Now reaching young students not just through football, but through creativity and culture, the program recently helped bring to life a stunning new Indigenous mural at Rangebank Primary School, created in collaboration with Noongar artist Joshua James.
Healthy Goals: More Than a Game
Healthy Goals, a Global City Football Foundation initiative, is a unique school-based program that promotes healthy eating, physical activity, and mental wellbeing among primary school students.
Delivered through interactive, football-themed sessions, the program makes health education fun and engaging while fostering lifelong habits.
Designed to build confidence and resilience through sport, Healthy Goals combines classroom learning with physical drills. It encourages children to explore key themes like teamwork, nutrition, and emotional wellbeing, all while staying active and connected.
From the pitch to the paintbrush: A mural with meaning
As part of the Healthy Goals initiative at Rangebank Primary School, students recently had the opportunity to take part in a collaborative art project guided by Indigenous artist Joshua James, known for his work with Joshua James Aboriginal Designs.
This 14-square-metre mural, painted over several sessions, became more than just a wall painting, it became a powerful visual story of health, culture, and connection.
The creative process began with students discussing what it means to live healthily, the values of friendship, and their favourite Australian native animals and of course football and Melbourne City. These discussions informed the design, which weaves together traditional Aboriginal symbols and student contributions into a single cohesive artwork.
Symbolism and storytelling in every stroke
The mural features:
- Heritage gold handprints representing each student’s connection to the program.
- Green tones, symbolising health and nature, tied to Melbourne City branding.
- Native animals like the Kangaroo (symbolising moving forward), Emu, Dingo, Goanna, and Blue Wren – each chosen for their unique traits that resonate with strength, community, and resilience.
- Friendship circles representing student-defined values such as Connection, Trust, Kindness, Support, and Honesty.
- Sunflowers symbolising people with hidden disabilities.
- Songlines, gathering circles, and a gum tree, the latter also being the symbol of Rangebank Primary, to reflect navigation, belonging, and identity.
- A shield and spears, added after a student shared thoughts on resilience and inner strength.
Over a five-day period, Joshua James brought all these elements to life on the school wall, guided by the ideas and contributions of the students.
“This mural is not just a piece of art,” said Julie Comarmond from Rangebank Primary School. “It’s a reflection of our students’ voices, values, and vision for a healthier, more inclusive future.”
A Lasting Legacy
The mural now stands as a lasting legacy of the Healthy Goals program, a daily reminder for students and staff of the power of health, creativity, and community.
It also provides an opportunity for ongoing education around Aboriginal culture and values, further enriching the school’s environment.
City in the Community continues to expand Healthy Goals across Melbourne with support from local councils, schools, and health organisations. Programs like this mural initiative reflect the Club’s commitment to using football as a force for good, uniting physical wellbeing with cultural education and student empowerment.
“We want to build more than just athletes, we want to inspire future leaders who are healthy, confident, and connected,” said Stephen Frantzeskakis, Community Programs Lead.
Are you a teacher, community leader, or parent looking to bring Healthy Goals to your school?
👉 Click here to learn more!
Together, through football, art, and education, we can help Melbourne’s next generation live stronger, healthier lives.
