ARt that SPeaks up
The Conadilly Canvas - for youth, for mental health, for North West NSW. From the heart of Gunnedah.
From our Founder
Ben Hennessy
The idea for The Conadilly Canvas started with a simple conversation between my daughter, Chela, and I.
We were talking about creativity, community, and the ways art can help us say the things that sometimes feel too big for words. That chat planted the seed for a project that would give young people in our region a platform for their voices, their stories, and their hope.
As the team at Hennessy Real Estate, we wanted to do more than talk about supporting youth mental health - we wanted to take action. That’s why, between 18 August and 31 October 2025, for every property listed and sold with Hennessy, we’re donating $500 directly to The Conadilly Canvas. These funds will help cover artist fees, youth prizes, event costs, and mental health resources for the community.
In October, we’ll see this vision come to life as mural artist Katie Louise Bigg works with local young creatives to transform a blank wall in the heart of Gunnedah into a 10-metre artwork that speaks up for youth, for mental health, and for connection.
I’m incredibly proud of what this project stands for — and I can’t wait to see the community come together to make it happen.
– Ben Hennessy, Hennessy Real Estate
Bringing Youth Voices to Life
The Conadilly Canvas isn’t just a mural.
It’s a voice for young people across North West NSW, painted into the heart of Gunnedah.
Together, we’re bringing youth stories of belonging, connection and hope to life on the Hennessy Real Estate wall (Conadilly & Marquis St).
Ages 12–18 are invited to submit artwork.
Selected pieces will be co‑designed into the final mural with artist Katie Louise Bigg.
About The Conadilly Canvas
The voice for North West NSW's young people around mental wellness.
01
What is The Conadilly Canvas?
A community‑led mural project amplifying youth voices across North West NSW on mental health, belonging and connection. Young artists submit their work; the top entries collaborate with our mural artist to shape a large‑scale piece for all to see.
02
Why now?
Teen mental health matters. Visibility and voice matter. This mural is a daily reminder to every young person: you matter, you are not alone.
03
Where it lives
The physical Conadilly Canvas lives on the Hennessy Real Estate wall, corner of Conadilly & Marquis Streets, Gunnedah.
04
Long‑term vision
An annual youth‑led artwork with growing community support, evolving each year to reflect the voices of North West NSW.
05
Who is the Mural artist?
To kick off our first year of The Conadilly Canvas - mural artist Katie Louise Bigg is honoured to bring North West NSW's youth voices to the wall in 2025.
Why it Matters
in Numbers
Facts & Figures
↓5.6x
Rural Mental Health Services
5.6 x fewer mental-health services available in very remote areas (vs magor cicites)
Crisis Interventions
1,800 crisis interventions took place in rural & remote areas in 2024 (up from 573 in 2014)
1,800
11,682
Kids reaching out for help
11,682 Kids Helpline contacts in 2024 involving suicidal thoughts
Rise in mental health disorders
47% rise in mental health disorders among all young Australians (from 27% in 2007 and 40% in 2022)
47%
Part of the solution
Conadilly Canvas isn't just art - it's part of a vital response
These figures reveal a landscape of growing mental health challengers for young Australians - especially in regional communities. From climbing diagnoses, soaring psychological distress, heightened suicide risk, to glaring access gaps, they underline why The Conadilly Canvas is ever important to amplify youth voices, bring communities together, and act where it matters most - our young people!
Turning Numbers Into Action
Behind every statistic is a young person with a story.
How it Works
1
Submit your artwork
Ages 12–18 are invited to submit artwork in any form - drawing, painting, digital, written piece, edited video, etc.
Theme: mental health, belonging, connection, hope.
Timeline:
Entries open: Sunday 17 August
Entries close: Thursday 19 September
Submission guidelines available here.
2
Judging & Winners
From 20–30 September, our judging panel will review every entry with care and respect.
Winners will be announced in early October and invited to be part of the mural creation process.
3
Mural Design & Painting Begins
Artist Katie Louise Bigg will work behind the scenes with the winning entries to create the final design.
Painting begins on the Hennessy Real Estate wall in early October.
4
Workshop / Paint the Wall Day – Saturday 11 October
Join Katie on site for a community paint day!
Young people from across North West NSW are invited to help paint the lower sections of the wall.
The day will also include:
Lifeline on site with information & merch
Music and other activities (TBC)
Photo/video opportunities
A chance to be part of a public artwork for our town
Partners of The Conadilly Canvas
FAQs
Young people aged 12–18 living in or connected to the North West NSW region.
You can share your story in the way that feels most you. This might be a drawing, painting, digital art, collage, written piece, or an edited video. Original work only. We’re looking for ideas, colours, symbols, words, and images that connect to the theme and express your voice.
Timeline*
Entries open: Sunday 17th August - Monday 15th September
Competition judging: Monday 15th - Friday 19th September
Winners announced and mural design (behind the scene) begins: Saturday 20th September
Mural tentative start date: Monday 6th October
Mural tentative workshop: Saturday 11th October
*Timelines are tentative and subject to change.
Selected entries inform the final design. Katie blends top works into one collaborative mural.
Yes - only digital files/photos are submitted. Keep your original safe.
Creativity, clarity of idea, connection to theme, and how elements may translate to a large‑scale mural. Full Conditions of Entry & Judging Framework are available here.
If you need to talk...
The Conadilly Canvas is about sharing your voice, your story, and your creativity.
Sometimes, creating or viewing art about mental health can bring up strong or unexpected feelings - and that’s okay.
If things feel heavy, or if this initiative has brought up anything for you, you don’t have to handle it on your own.
There’s always someone ready to listen.
You are not alone, and talking to someone can make a difference.
Our partner Lifeline is here for you 24/7:
📞 Call 13 11 14
💬 Text 0477 13 11 14
🌐 Visit www.lifeline.org.au
Your voice matters. So does your wellbeing.