Wadawurrung artist to feature on new Banyul-Warri Fields Hockey Pitch
Published on 29 October 2025
Wadawurrung artist Billy-Jay O’Toole hopes his artwork on the new Banyul-Warri Fields Hockey Pitch in north Torquay will spark important conversations.
The pitch is currently under construction and is fully funded through the Victorian Government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.
Billy-Jay designed jerseys for Torquay Hockey Club to celebrate NAIDOC Week in 2022. The club proposed to have the artwork permanently stitched into the synthetic pitch surface at their new home at Banyul-Warri Fields Hockey Pitch.
“Given the artwork was completed for Torquay Tornadoes for NAIDOC Week and it now gets to be part of their home facility, it’s really special,” Billy-Jay said.
“Anytime I get an opportunity to showcase my artwork in the public domain is rewarding.”
The artist shared the story behind the design
He described the handprints as a symbol of connection and togetherness between the players.
“The U between the spears and boomerang represents the strength of the men and women in a club where all genders are welcome,” he said. “The big U in the centre represents the hockey club as one big family: players, sponsors, volunteers and community.”
Billy-Jay – whose creations can be found in schools, playgrounds and signage across the Surf Coast and Geelong region – believes it’s important for community spaces to feature First Nations artwork.
“It means we can start conversations about cultural stories and connections, and people can acknowledge the Country they’re on,” he said. “It’s also about providing further opportunities for people to ask questions and it might encourage others to have First Nations designs in workplaces, sporting clubs and other community facilities.”
Labor Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney said the artwork will be a wonderful addition to Banyul-Warri Fields.
“It’s wonderful to see local Wadawurrung talent like Billy-Jay featured so prominently at Banyul-Warri Fields. His artwork will give everyone who visits the new hockey facilities a sense of welcome, pride and connection to Wadawurrung Country. This is exactly what our investment in regional sports infrastructure is all about - backing community, inclusion and the stories that make places like Torquay so special.”
Works at Banyul-Warri Fields began in April 2025 to deliver a new hockey pitch, sports lighting, electronic scoreboard, spectator shelter and seating, along with a new car park.
The venue will be home to Torquay Hockey Club, which is excited to welcome a local facility to play and train on.
Surf Coast Shire Council is delivering the project in partnership with Sport and Recreation Victoria. It is expected to be completed in December 2025.
The project is fully funded through the Regional Sports Infrastructure Program and is part of the Victorian Government’s record $47 billion in just over ten years investment in projects and programs that matter to regional communities.
For more information about the program visit sport.vic.gov.au/rsip.