Centenary Pavillion Mosaic Tile Floor

The Derby community worked together to create a 28 square metre mosaic tile floor that was installed in the Centenary of Federation Pavilion erected at the approaches to Derby Wharf in 2001.

The floor is the work of 370 children and adults and took around 700 hours to complete. Participants included the staff and students of Holy Rosary School, Derby District High School, Derby Craft Group, Derby Potty Potters and individual community members. Artistic direction and management of the project was undertaken by Michelle Elloitt of Wooroloo.

Explanation of the Design
The unifying element of the design is the Snake who made the Kimberley. The snake is a symbol of life, the creator.

Here the Snake is depicted in the colours of the flag of the Aboriginal people acknowledging them as the original inhabitants of the Derby area.

The Snake is protecting and nurturing its eggs represented by the floral symbols of each Australian State and Territory. This illustrates one of the aims of Federation, that of coming together for mutual protection, nurturing and growth.

The State symbols join in the centre of the floor under a Southern Cross rising above Australia’s red earth and bountiful sunshine. This represents the coming together of the separate colonies in 1901 to create the Commonwealth of Australia and the coming together of the Derby community as one people to celebrate Federation.

The symbols on the floor depict the natural environment of the West Kimberley, its industry and its past. They represent the contribution this community has made to the development of our State and Nation.

A Sketch of the Mosaic Floor


Making the Floor
The floor contains 28 square metres of tiling and involved the laying of over 30,000 pieces of tile by 362 people taking around 700 hours.
  • A meeting involving interested teachers and members of the community selected eight themes: The Land, The Sea, Wet Season, Dry Season, Pre Settlement, Pioneering, People and Industry.
  • Students and teachers from the Derby District High School and Holy Rosary School, and the Derby Craft Group drew pictures to illustrate their selected theme.
  • From these drawings the artist, Michelle Elliot, selected images to incorporate in a series of eight panels. Each panel was composed of 2 manageable pieces of moulded fibro cement.
  • The artist spent five weeks in Derby conducting workshops at the schools and for community members.
  • Students and the community worked on tiling the panels over a period of three months from October to December 2000.
  • The panels were stored and then installed in the structure in April 2001 and grouted in situ by Theron Bell.
  • Twelve members of the Derby Pottery Group manufactured the special tiles depicting the State floral emblems for insertion in the floor.
  • Artist Michelle Elliot assisted in installing the panels and completed the central panel.
  • The Pavilion and floor was opened officially in late July, 2001.
Federation of Australia 1901 to 2001 Acknowledgements
The State of Western Australia made an investment in the project through Arts W.A. in association with the Lotteries Commission and through the Community Arts Network (W.A.), and the Community Centenary of Federation Funding. The Derby Visitor Centre and the Shire of Derby West Kimberley also made a substantial commitment to the project.