25 September 2025


Pictured: Mel and Rhubee with their mural at NALHN’s Specialist Ambulatory and Rehabilitation Centre.

A new mural at Modbury Hospital depicts more than a journey to recovery for artist Rhubee Neale.

While every brushstroke reassured her that the trauma of having a stroke could be overcome, the mural and its themes became a compelling gift for other patients and visitors to explore.

Launched in July, the mural is near the garden at Modbury’s Specialist Ambulatory and Rehabilitation Centre (SpARC), where Rhubee undertook her rehabilitation.

The contemporary artist and Anmatyerre/Arrernte woman collaborated with community artist Mel Heatley, combining their perspectives to produce images of life and healing. They included representations of elders, a linked DNA chain and reminders of the importance of nurturing the heart and mind.
“I’m stoked that it’s going to be a legacy that’s going to be here for a long time,” Rhubee says.

“I had some negative thoughts during my rehabilitation, and I feared that I might not be ‘me’ any more. But even though we go through trauma, there’s always a light so you can come out of the darkness.”

Rhubee and Mel’s friendship was sparked by a shared love of art, music and fashion, and they were together on the day in 2024 when she had a stroke.

Mel saw a renewed sense of inspiration in Rhubee when they began discussing the mural during her rehabilitation.

“People seemed to be drawn to what we were doing, and we incorporated their suggestions. It has been a beautiful process and the support from staff has been incredible,” she says.

Rhubee says she found new joy in art while working on the mural and hopes its messages of resilience and connection resonate with others.

“It was exciting to hear people say: ‘this is me’ when they looked at it,” she says. “I wanted it to make people think about things they are passionate about.”

The mural was supported by Modbury Hospital Foundation and Modbury Bunnings.