Created in 2026, The Neighbourhood of Hughes and The Hughes Gang murals at Huges Shops celebrate the people, nature, and community spirit that make Hughes special.
Read more about each artwork, their inspiration, and the stories behind them.
The Neighbourhood of Hughes 2026
Created using aerosol and acrylic paint
Artist: Graffikpaint
The mural on the northern wall of the Hughes shopping precinct features 10 community residents who have made significant contributions to society. Several of these individuals are profiled in The Neighbourhood of Hughes, written by Jenny Tyrrell. Alongside the portraits, the artwork incorporates birds, natural elements, and other symbolic themes connected to the people depicted and the Neighbourhood of Hughes. Depicted above the portraits are endangered bird species that frequent Hughes – female Gang-gang cockatoo, swift parrots, superb parrots, and a male Gang-gang. In particular, the Gang Gangs are a local favourite. Since 2017 research by Hughes residents has added to the knowledge of these endangered birds. The yellow tailed black cockatoo is also featured on the wall.
The mural was created through a collaborative community process, with residents offering ideas and feedback throughout its development. The project took 12 months from initial concept to completion. The Woden Community Service Community Development program collaborated closely with the community to shape both the content and the design, ensuring the final artwork reflects the stories, people, and spirit of Hughes.
The mural was designed and painted by Artist Geoff Filmer from Graffikpaint.
Who are the faces of The Neighbourhood of Hughes?
On the right of the phone booth from left to right
Margaret Howitt (Hyde Place)
Margaret founded the Friends of Hughes Buffer Area Open Space Landcare group and played a significant role in restoring and protecting the local environment. She held a licence to collect seeds and propagate Rutidosis leptorrhynchoides (Button Wrinklewort), a rare local native plant. Margaret organised and coordinated Clean Up Australia Day events across Hughes and nearby Deakin, encouraging strong community involvement in caring for local open spaces and wider environment.
Peter Doherty AC FAA FRS & Rolf Zinkernagel – Nobel Laureates – (Carroll St)
Peter and Rolf were awarded the 1996 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their groundbreaking discovery of T cells, a vital component of the immune system. Their work transformed global understanding of how the body recognises and fights infection.
Alinta Barlow
Alinta is a Ngunnawal singer‑songwriter who has been helping revive and strengthen the Ngunnawal language since 2019. She leads Wamburang, a First Nations women’s choir named after the Ngunnawal word for the Black Cockatoo.
Alpha Gregory OAM – (Kitchener St)
Alpha is a passionate music educator who has dedicated her career to teaching music and singing to children. She served as the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Woden Valley Youth Choir for 20 years, nurturing young voices and fostering a love of music across the community.
Des Ball AO – (Jensen St)
Des was an Australian academic, strategist, and security expert whose research played a key role in reducing global tensions during the Cold War. His work on nuclear strategy and intelligence helped shape international security policy and contributed to global conflict de‑escalation.
Sir Mark Oliphant AC KBE – (Colvin St)
Sir Marcus Oliphant was a pioneering Australian physicist known for his influential contributions to nuclear physics and radar technology. He was also the founding President of the Australian Academy of Science and a key figure in advancing scientific research in Australia.
Stephanie Owen Reeder OAM – (Jensen St)
Stephanie is an award‑winning children’s author with an enduring passion for books, art, history, and the environment. Stephanie has written numerous acclaimed works for young readers, including picture books that explore environmental themes. Among these are Australia’s Wild Weird Wonderful Weather and Sensational Australian Animals, both of which have received national recognition.
Dorothy Sales OAM AM – (Downes Pl)
Dorothy founded the National Brain Injury Foundation to support people living with acquired brain injuries. Her legacy continues through the Dorothy Sales Cottages, which provide long‑term housing and care for individuals with acquired brain injuries, offering dignity, stability, and community.
Michael Mulvaney – (Carroll St)
Michael is an ecologist and champion for the conservation of the Gang‑gang Cockatoo. He founded the Red Hill Regenerators Parkcare group and helped establish NatureMapr, a community‑driven platform that enables people to record and share sightings of local flora and fauna.
On the left of the phone booth from left to right
“Stepping Out”
Lady in Pearls a much-loved statue, by Giovanna Ianiello, which was stolen from the Hughes shops in May 2016. Police believe thieves snapped the bronze statue at the weld seam, possibly using a chain and vehicle to remove it. Only the feet and part of the plinth remained. Since this theft new statues include internal strengthening.
Pharmacist Harry Katsaros and assistant Christine Minchall-Alcott.
Hughes Capital Chemist is a mainstay of the Hughes Community. Many people travel from further afield for their pharmaceutical needs because of the support and outreach provided by the staff. Harry and Christine have organised “Biggest Morning Tea” fundraisers for breast cancer and other community support events.
Jenny Mobbs – 2023 ACT Senior Woman of the Year
Jenny Mobbs has made a difference for older Canberrans through her role as CEO for the Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT. Her advocacy and work saw her named 2023 ACT Senior Woman of the Year. She advocates for the rights of older people and has been a representative on a range of advisory and working groups, including the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing.
Jenny Tyrrell OAM
Jenny is a local resident whose work has helped preserve and celebrate the stories of the Hughes community. She wrote The Neighbourhood of Hughes, a key local history publication that documents the people, places, and events that have shaped the suburb. Jenny has been a key driver in the Hughes mural project and in keeping Hughes’ history alive for future generations. Jenny’s advocacy was instrumental in adding screening for Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) to the national Newborn Screening program.
The Hughes Gang 2026
Painted with a brush using acrylic paint
Artists: Yamile Tafur Rios, Carlos Mario Sanchez Zapata from Condor Painting Services
The mural on the southern side of the Hughes Shopping Centre reflects the community’s love for Canberra’s surrounding nature parks. It highlights the interests of Hughes Primary School students and celebrates both nature and sport.
Hughes Primary School students were invited to share what is most important to them about their suburb, and the final design is entirely based on their ideas and input. The artwork features endangered and rare bird species found in the Hughes nature park areas including male and female Gang-gangs and Yellow Tail Black cockatoos which nest in Hughes.
The mural honours Hughes Primary School’s 62-year history, represented through the school emblem and themes of learning, inclusiveness, and participation in school sports such as street tennis, football, soccer, and rugby.
The mural was painted by husband‑and‑wife team Yamile Tafur and Carlos Sanchez of Condor Painting Services.
The murals were fully funded through grants and donor contributions, including support from the Snow Foundation, the Davencare Foundation, and a donation from local a resident.
The project was supported by the Woden Community Service Community Development program with guidance from City Presentation, City and Environment Directorate.