KOTA KINABALU: Among KKites, a narrow strip of shophouses along Jalan Dewan tucked in the foothills of Signal Hill in town has always been referred to informally as Australia Place.
The name came about when the Australian soldiers set up camp at the historic spot at the foot of Signal Hill near Atkinson Clock Tower following the liberation of Sabah from the Japanese occupation at the end of World War II in 1945.
It is one of the state capital’s oldest areas with its early printing companies' buildings slowly evolving into popular cafes, backpacker lodges and hangouts for locals and tourists.
On Friday (Aug 14), Australia High Commissioner to Malaysia Danielle Heinecke, alongside Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Seri Sabin Samitah unveiled a mural “Remembering Australia Place,” on the walls of Wisma Intiutama to honour Australia-Malaysia’s shared history.
Heinecke said the mural also gives visitors a brief overview of the situation immediately following the war and the steps needed to restore government administration in Kota Kinabalu, then known as Jesselton.
“The Remembering Australia Place mural tells the story of Australians and Sabahans coming together again and again over many decades as strong friends and partners.
“The relationship goes beyond official cooperation, to individual friendships, cultural exchanges and community partnerships that bring our countries closer together.
“This artwork captures the stories of people whose lives have connected our two countries and serves as a lasting reminder of the strong bonds that continue to shape our partnership today,” Heinecke said.
The mural was designed and painted by Pillars of Sabah, a local community arts organisation, and uses creative storytelling to highlight the shared stories of friendship, resilience, cooperation and people-to-people ties that underpin the historic and contemporary Australia-Malaysia relationship.
The mural launch coincided with the annual Sandakan Day commemoration on Aug 15, she said as it provides an opportunity to reflect on the shared wartime history that remains an important foundation of the Australia-Malaysia relationship.
Sabin said the mural was much more than a work of public art as it tells a story of history, remembrance and friendship.
“It reminds us of an important chapter in the relationship between Sabah and Australia. It is a very important historical narrative presented as public art that can be appreciated by everyone. We hope that this mural will become not merely a place to take pictures, but a place where people will stop, learn and understand why this part of Kota Kinabalu is important,” he added.
