Wilcannia fast charger: A special addition to the NRMA charging network

Technology meets tradition at the NRMA's new Wilcannia-based fast charger, where as part of Australia's motoring future it pays homage to the land's rich Indigenous culture.

An electric NRMA branded vehicle charger, which has an intricate piece of art on the front by indigenous artist Eddy Harris.

The NRMA’s white and blue colour pallete is instantly recognisable. It adorns our logo, a century’s worth of grille badges and even our very own Hyundai Kona electric vehicle.

As we move into a new age of motoring, the colour scheme has also been used across all the fast chargers comprising our charging network. That is, until now.

Wilcannia is a special location. Not only a crucial strategic addition to bridge a 750-odd-kilometre gap between Dubbo and Broken Hill in our charging network, but also a community with rich Indigenous cultural heritage.

An electric vehicle branded in the blue and white NRMA colours, parked in front of a charging station which has been designed with an intricate and colourful piece of indigenous art.

We decided an area so special deserved a charger to match. Enter Wilcannia-born-and-raised Indigenous artist Eddy Harris, creator of the bespoke design seen on the town’s new fast charger.

“Wilcannia is part of the Barkindji area. ‘Barkindji’ means river – river people,” Eddy tells us.

“The Barkindji have been on the river for over 40,000 years. Travelled up and down from the other side of Bourke right down to Wentworth, across to Lake Mungo. Cut a lot of canoe trees and lived off the fish and mussels out of the river.

“That’s why it was appropriate to paint this [NRMA fast charger] the way I did. It’s about the river.

“[The painting] shows the river fish swimming around. The grey wiggly lines are the roots of the gumtrees. There’s rocks there and little rock traps here and there.”

Eddy recounts a combination of enthusiasm and apprehension when approaching the project.

“I’m self-taught [with painting]. As I went on, I saw stuff from older people and in art classes, but mainly my designs are my designs. It’s me; it’s what I see and what I feel about Country.

“A lot of the mob was laughing at me at first – said my goannas had been run over because they were a bit flat. They weren’t laughing after I sold a few [paintings]!

“I gave the NRMA a call and had a bit of a yarn about the project, then they got in contact with me and asked if I’d be interested in doing it.”

View of an intricate and colourful piece of indigenous artwork by artist Eddy Harris.

With the charger now installed and functional, a major electric arterial route and celebration of Indigenous culture and art is now open to travelers with EVs. Finished, Eddy steps back from the project and reflects.

“It worked out really good,’ he remarks. ‘I’m really happy with how the NRMA handled it.

When I look at the charger, I’m very proud of what we achieved. Hopefully a lot of people get a lot of satisfaction out of the painting.

— Eddy Harris, Indigenous artist

The Central Darling Shire Council in which Wilcannia is based notes the significance of the charger to the area:

“The installation of the EV Charger will go a long way to encouraging visitors into the western region,” a council spokesperson told us.

“As part of the EV Charger network in western NSW, we hope electric car owners will now feel confident about visiting the western region. This will be a big boost for our domestic tourism."

The NRMA and Transport for NSW are making continued efforts to support the NSW EV strategy and execution of fast chargers across the state.

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