Mural
The Mural was commissioned by the works supervisor Eustace Eales and painted by Phillip Goatcher in 1922-23. The design of the Mural in All Saints Church, Collie was influenced by Mrs Noyes who had donated the funds for the Mural (500 Pounds). Mrs Noyes requested the inclusion of figures of coalminers and Aboriginal people. The Mural is oil on canvas and was painted in Goatcher's studio in Perth with the help of his son James. It was then removed to Collie and fixed to the wall of the Sanctuary via chicken wire and glue. It was dedicated by the then Bishop of Bunbury, Dr C Wilson on 24 June 1923.
The theme of the ceiling is the ‘Risen Christ in Heaven’ portrayed by Jesus on his throne in heaven. This representation of Christ is similar to a fresco in St Paul’s Cathedral, London. The characters in the Mural are looking to Christ for direction and help with their labours, this is represented in the theme words “Come unto me all ye that labour”. All the major characters in the Mural are taken from photos or portraits existing at the time. We can not be completely sure of who is who in the mural as the Church records which were housed in the old wooden Church Hall next door to All Saints were lost in a fire in 1932. But word of mouth and the Parish Council Minutes has noted the following.
There are 30 figures in the Mural and the Mural focuses on the history of Collie and the history of the Church. From the left there is firstly a tree which is symbolic of the first industry in Collie which was mobile timber milling. Then there are two Aboriginal people, the traditional owners of the land looking into the future possibility questioning the impact of the new arrivals to their land. Next is a Melanesian man holding a spear in one hand and a fuchsia in the other which is a symbol of hope in religious paintings. He stands next to Bishop Patterson who was sent from New Zealand on a missionary journey to Melanesia. Bishop Patterson worked amongst the Melanesian people for ten years before being martyred. There are two judges on either side of the Mural each holding a book of law and looking to Christ for guidance. This is symbolic of the historical connection between the Church and the State. Next to the judge on the left is Bishop Goldsmith the first Bishop of the Bunbury Diocese. This Bishop is looking directly at the church congregation as if to say that the maintenance of this ornate building and Mural is now the responsibility of the people of Collie. There are two Benedictine monks in the Mural, symbolising the historical connection between the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church. St Augustine in red robes is kneeling and also kneeling in white robes is Pope Gregory the First or Gregory the Great as he was known. St Boniface is standing next to the Madonna and child. St Boniface is the patron saint of the Diocese of Bunbury. The depiction of the Madonna and Child is taken from a painting by Raphael. St Paul is on the right hand side of the Madonna and Child. The ‘women behind the men of the church’ are represented by the lady in blue strategically placed behind Pope Gregory the First. There is a photo at the back of All Saints Church of the first drawing that Phillip Goatcher did of what he envisaged the Mural may look like. The women in blue is not in this first drawing. Perhaps Mrs Noyes suggested she be added to recognise the tireless women workers in all churches throughout the ages. There is an unknown Bishop behind the woman in blue who has a very ornate robe, crook and mitre. The kneeling women in brown who has a wreath in her hand represents the agricultural community that was the second industry in Collie. The man with his hat in his hand is Sir John Forrest and he is representing the pastoral community. Finally, Miners are also represented. There is another unknown Bishop that seems to be hiding behind the judge but why this figure is there has been lost.
The Dedication Service of the mural was recorded in the Collie Mail on the 29 June and in the Western Mail on the 26th July 1923.
In the early 1990’s the roof of the church was leaking badly and had to be replaced. The ceiling above the mural became so badly damaged that the whole ceiling in the Sanctuary had to be repainted. A Committee was formed presided over by Mrs Margaret White to raise funds for a new roof and ceiling restoration. In 1994 Mrs Barbara Cena was hired to clean, restore and repaint the ceiling as well as make any necessary repairs to the Mural. The cost for both projects was approximately $93 000 and many donations were received from the Collie people as well as a generous grant from the Heritage Council of WA.