Mamma Maali at the Quay
The Maali (Black swan) is a Western Australian icon.
Event Showings
Various dates and times
Price
Free event
Location
The Landing, Elizabeth Quay, The Esplanade
Perth WA 6000
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Week 1 Event Program | 14 - 20 April
Entertainment
15 - 17 April
10am - 2pmLive Art with Justin Martin
Come down for a yarn with Nyoongar artist Justin Martin as he paints the wings of giant ‘Mamma Maali’ in a live art installation.19 April
10am - 12pmFree Face Painting
Get your face painted by the magical Freedom Fairies! Choose from a beautiful black swan or something else just as whimsical.19 April
10am - 2pmSwan Pedal Boat Train
Take a joy ride on a giant swan pedal boat train in Elizabeth Quay with ‘Swans on the Swan’.Craft Activities and Workshops
15 - 17, 19 April
10am - 12pmSwan Themed Card Making
Attendees can participate in swan-themed card printing activities using recycled printing, stencil and customised stamps with Kindling Creative.17 April
10am - 12pmBush Toy Making
Enjoy nature play activities bush toy making, led by Olman Walley from Boorloo Aboriginal Cultural Experiences.19 April
10am - 12pm1,000 Origami Swans for Telethon
Senbazuru is the ancient Japanese art of folding 1,000 origami cranes to fulfil a wish. Take part in a unique local version of this tradition. Fold an origami swan and make a donation to Telethon to help raise funds for sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children across WA. -
Week 2 Event Program | 21 - 27 April
Entertainment
22 April
2 - 3:30pmGoomup (Elizabeth Quay) Walking Tour
From the banks of the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) we invite you to explore the Aboriginal history of Perth from Dreamtime to colonisation and beyond to present day with Go Cultural.23 April
10am - 12pmSustainable Swan Activation with the City of Perth
Join the City of Perth Waste Team for a fun, gamified waste-sorting challenge to learn about our sustainable city and win exciting giveaways.23 - 24, 26 - 27 April
10am - 12pmFree Face Painting
Get your face painted by the magical Freedom Fairies! Choose from a beautiful black swan or something else just as whimsical.26 - 27 April
10am - 2pmSwan Pedal Boat Train
Take a joy ride on a giant swan pedal boat train in Elizabeth Quay with ‘Swans on the Swan’.27 April Mamma Maali Markets
Join us for the final day of Mamma Maali at the Quay with a variety of activities for all ages, including a variety of art and craft activities, free face painting, be entertained by Black Swan Roving Performers and explore a special edition of Markets at the Quay by MarketLife.Craft Activities and Workshops
22 - 24, 26 - 27 April
10am - 12pmDream Catcher Making
Join us for a creative workshop where you'll design and craft your very own swan-themed dream catcher, combining natural and found materials with Kindling Creative.24 April
10am - 12pmRiverstone Painting
Enjoy nature play activities like river stone painting, led by Olman Walley from Boorloo Aboriginal Cultural Experiences.22 - 24, 26 - 27 April
10am - 12pm1,000 Origami Swans for Telethon
Senbazuru is the ancient Japanese art of folding 1,000 origami cranes to fulfil a wish. Take part in a unique local version of this tradition. Fold an origami swan and make a donation to Telethon to help bring wishes to life for sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children across WA. -
One Thousand Origami Swans for Telethon
As part of the Lotterywest Boorloo Heritage Festival 2025, the City of Perth is proud to launch the ‘One Thousand Origami Swans’ project to support Telethon and raise funds for sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children across Western Australia.
The ‘One Thousand Origami Swans’ project is a unique, local twist on the Japanese tradition of ‘senbazuru’ – the art of folding 1,000 cranes to make a wish. In Japanese folklore, cranes are believed to live for 1,000 years and are revered as symbols of longevity and good fortune. Folding 1,000 cranes is often undertaken as a prayer or wish for health, recovery and happiness in Japanese culture.
This unique initiative will be held at Elizabeth Quay from 19 – 27 April 2025 where we’ll celebrate the ‘Maali’ the Black swan, our beloved state icon.
We are inviting members of the public to fold an origami swan and make a donation to Telethon. Our origami swans will be displayed alongside Mamma Maali at a family-friendly event on Sunday, 27 April featuring swan pedal boat rides, market stalls, arts and craft activities including origami workshops at Elizabeth Quay.
