ARt that SPeaks up
The Conadilly Canvas - for youth, for mental health, for North West NSW. From the heart of Gunnedah.
A message from and to our young people - reminding every passer-by: you are not alone.
From our Founder
Ben Hennessy
The idea for The Conadilly Canvas began with a simple conversation between my daughter, Chela, and me - about creativity, community, and how art can sometimes say the things that feel too hard to put into words.
That conversation sparked something bigger than either of us expected.
In 2025, that idea became a reality. Young people from across our region shared their stories through art, and together with mural artist Katie Louise Bigg, those voices were transformed into a permanent mural in the heart of Gunnedah. What now stands on the wall is a message from and to our youth - one of hope, belonging, and support.
As a business, the team at Hennessy Real Estate wanted to move beyond conversation and take meaningful action. Supporting youth mental health isn’t a one-off gesture - it’s an ongoing commitment. The Conadilly Canvas represents that commitment, and the response from our community has shown just how powerful shared purpose can be.
I’m incredibly proud of what was created in 2025 - not just the mural itself, but the connections, conversations, and sense of community that grew around it. And this is only the beginning.
The Conadilly Canvas will return in 2026, continuing to give young people a platform to be seen, heard, and supported through art.
Thank you to every young artist, supporter, and community member who helped bring this vision to life. I can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes us.
– Ben Hennessy, Hennessy Real Estate
Bringing Youth Voices to Life
The Conadilly Canvas isn’t just a mural - it’s a movement.
Born from a simple idea to give young people a voice around mental health, belonging, connection and hope, the project transformed the side of Hennessy Real Estate into a 10-metre artwork designed by and for youth.
Led by Hennessy Real Estate and painted by mural artist Katie Louise Bigg, the 2025 Conadilly Canvas was shaped by entries from across North West NSW. Each artwork shared a story of challenge, courage and optimism - now woven together into one powerful visual reminder that no one walks alone.
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?
The Mural Artist is set to change each year. We were honoured to have Katie Louise Bigg bring the first Conadilly Canvas to life 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
Once submissions are open, 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: TBA for 2026
Entries close: TBA for 2026
Submission guidelines available here.
2
Judging & Winners
Once entries close, our judging panel will review every entry with care and respect.
Winners will be announced 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 panel and winning entries to create the final design.
Month TBA for painting to begin for 2026.
4
Workshop / Paint the Wall Day
Join our muralist on site for a community paint day! This date is TBC for 2026.
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 TBC for 2026
Selected entries inform the final design. The muralist will blend 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.