A small outback town has embraced its history for all to enjoy and learn from, and it’s clear the Queensland Ambulance Service has a very special place in its residents’ hearts and minds.
This little Central Queensland town of around 158 people was originally named after its Traditional People whose name, Mootaburra, meant “the meeting of waters”, with the Tower Hill River, Mount Cornish Creek, the Landsborough River joining nearby before running into the Thomson River, and on to Lake Eyre.
These days Muttaburra is famous for its Cretaceous Period namesake the Muttaburrasaurus Langdoni, which was found in the area in 1963, and is recognised as Queensland’s favourite fossil.
But recently, a Western Queensland public art pioneer Christian Griffiths paid tribute to residents responsible for bringing an ambulance to the township as part of his LAC-commissioned artwork on the QAS’s 125-year-old former ambulance garage.
For Muttaburra's Ambulance Benefit Committee's Secretary and Treasurer Kerry Robinson, this artwork carries special meaning as it features her late Dad, former Queensland Ambulance Transport Bureau (QATB) Officer and long-time committee member Colin Whitfield.
Christian’s artwork depicts the day in 1983 when the first Muttaburra ambulance was delivered to the town, with Colin standing beside it. 
Kerry said in 1982 the Aramac LAC formed a Muttaburra Benefit Committee to raise money to purchase the town’s first ambulance vehicle which the community had identified was badly needed.
“Dad was on this committee and the group raised $10,000 to purchase Muttaburra’s first ambulance, and among other images, Christian was given photos taken the day the ambulance was delivered in 1983," Kerry said. 
“For many years after this, the LAC partnered with the organisers of the annual “Burradoo”, the town’s big B&S Ball (Bachelor and Spinster) event, raising funds to purchase the old (c1900) Butcher’s Shop to house the ambulance until its move in 1999 to the town’s new Public Health Centre and to cover its ongoing running and maintenance costs.
“The QAS still owns the building, and the LAC uses it to store equipment and supplies.”
Colin took on the Muttaburra Benefit Committee's Secretary and Treasurer roles for many years after retiring and Kerry then stepped in to replace him in the late 1990s.
While his art studio is located in the Tweed Valley, Christian said he’s had a long association with the Muttaburra community and was thrilled the LAC commissioned him to decorate the old building.
“I thought it was important to have some recognised faces in the mural and to feature key people who were instrumental in getting the service started in Muttaburra,” he said.
“The artwork is designed to last and uses exterior acrylic house paint, and I completed each side of the building over a few days.
“The front was a replica old butcher shop which was what it had been beforehand – giving a snapshot of the building’s history – the map serves as a snapshot for the tourists about the area itself and the ambulance was a site-specific element.
“I love public art because it reaches a wider audience and people love to stop, look, share and comment.”
Colin died four years ago but his family still lives in the area.
“It’s amazing the number of people who’ve seen the mural and have recognised him,” Kerry said.
“It’s just lovely to be able to drive past the old building each day and see Dad’s face smiling out of the mural.
“So, I still get to say ‘g’day’ to him each day!”
