SUNTORY Oceania has showcased how respect for culture and vision in business can be partnered by unveiling a striking 90m-long Indigenous artwork at its new $400 million Swanbank manufacturing facility in Ipswich.
The large-scale mural is the result of a collaboration with the Yuggera people, the traditional custodians of the land, and features the combined work of Yuggera Elder Uncle Eddie Ruska and acclaimed Indigenous artist Kylie Hill, a Kalkadoon, Quandamooka and Waanyi woman.
Proud Ipswich local Hill said the project had been one of the most meaningful of her career.
“Working with Uncle Eddie to share the stories of the Yuggera people has been incredibly special,” she said.
“This piece is about honouring culture, land, and the strength of our communities. I’m proud to be part of something that brings people together through art and storytelling.”
The mural is split into three panels. The first draws on the Dreamtime story of the Rainbow Serpent, known locally as Moondagurra, who is said to have emerged from underground to carve the Brisbane River.
Suntory Oceania said the creation story mirrored the journey of its Swanbank site, which will become a carbon-neutral hub for its beverage operations in Australia.
The remaining two panels pay tribute to the Battle of One Tree Hill, a key moment in the Australian frontier wars that took place at present-day Tabletop Mountain in Toowoomba. The scenes reflect strength, unity, and the resilience of First Nations peoples in overcoming adversity.
Suntory Oceania’s Swanbank Site Operations Director Paul Woods said the artwork aligned with the company’s broader vision for positive impact.
“Our ‘Growing for Good’ philosophy goes beyond business. It’s about sustainability, cultural respect, and building strong relationships with the communities we serve,” he said.
“This artwork is a beautiful representation of that commitment.”
Hill, who has lived in Ipswich for nearly four decades, is known for her contributions to the arts and sporting communities.
Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and she regularly donates art to charitable causes supporting cancer research and children in sport.
“It’s about keeping our culture alive and showing our kids how art can be a powerful force for connection and change,” she said.
