Art print of an original painting 'Seroja' by Helen Ansell.

“Cyclone Seroja hit Western Australia in April 2021 causing significant damage to critical infrastructure including roads, telecommunications and emergency services buildings. Several towns received damage including Kalbarri, Northampton, Mullewa, Yuna, Morawa, Mingenew, Three Springs, Carnamah and Perenjorie. Approximately 30,000 homes and businesses were without power, and communication systems were extensively damaged. The damaged network covered an area more than 700km long and 150km wide. Two of my friends took shelter under a mattress in the kitchen with their children as their roof blew off whilst they waited for the SES to arrive. It was actually a miracle no one was killed!

A willie wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys), found in both spheres of this cyclone, heralds the disaster, as Aboriginal people often perceive this djiti djiti (devil’s bird) as the bearer of bad news.

Just one small aspect of that destruction was along the 100 km of road between Mullewa and Geraldton where every single tree was either blown down or had major branches snapped off; rows of beautiful still flowering acorn banksias (Banksia prionotes) turned completely upside down – the inspiration for this piece.

But there are also small shoots of new life; the renewal of nature and the resilience of people who had to rebuild – many being farmers, while still seeding and growing crops.” - Helen Ansell