More Than a Design : Celebrating Community Through Indigenous Artwork
October, 2026
Water Polo Victoria is proud to introduce our new Academy Program bathers, featuring a meaningful Indigenous artwork designed by Rebecca Talbot, a valued member of the Geelong Water Polo Club community. The design celebrates the connections, stories and shared passion that unite our water polo community.
Inspired by a journey spanning more than 40 years and three generations, the design represents belonging, inclusion, resilience and the individual pathways that bring us together through sport.
When I was asked to come up with a design, I wanted to create something that represented not only my journey with water polo spanning over 40 years, but something that represented the water polo community as a whole.
More than just a new design, these bathers celebrate who we are as a community and the strength we find in being connected through water polo.
A Journey Connected by Water
At the heart of the design is water - the foundation of our sport and a powerful symbol of the pathways that connect us. Its flowing forms reflect currents, waves and the dynamic nature of water polo, while also representing the different journeys people take throughout their involvement in the game.
Water Polo has been a significant part of my life, and I wanted the artwork to reflect the connections, experiences and sense of community that have come with that journey.
From first stepping into the pool to representing Victoria, coaching, officiating or supporting from the sidelines, everyone has a place in the water polo community. The artwork recognizes these different experiences and celebrates the relationships that continue to connect us.
The Meaning Behind the Design (The Elements)
Each element of the artwork has been carefully considered, with symbols and patterns working together to tell a broader story about the Victorian water polo community.
Water and flowing pathways sit at the centre of the design, representing the currents, movement and energy of our sport. They also reflect the journeys that bring people together and carry them forward.
Meeting circles symbolize community, connection and shared purpose. The interconnected circles represent players, coaches, families and the wider Water Polo Victoria community. At the centre, a larger meeting circle represents Water Polo Victoria as a connecting point - bringing people together through a shared passion for the sport.
U-shaped figures represent people and reflect the diversity of the water polo community. Their varying sizes acknowledge participants across different ages and stages of life, from young players beginning their journey to adults who have dedicated many years to the game. Together, they express a sense of inclusion and belonging.
Triangular and spear-like strength motifs represent resilience, endurance, courage and both physical and mental strength. These qualities are central to water polo, a sport that challenges athletes to persevere, support one another and continue striving to improve.
Journey lines branch out from the main design, representing personal growth and athlete development. Each line reflects an individual pathway, acknowledging that no two journeys are the same. Yet, despite these differences, every pathway remains connected to the broader team and community.
Together, these elements create an artwork that reflects both the individuality of each person's journey and the strength that comes from being part of something bigger.
Individual Journeys, One Community
The message behind the artwork is simple but powerful: everyone belongs, and no one travels alone.
People come to water polo at different ages, with different goals, backgrounds and experiences. Some may be discovering the sport for the first time, while others have spent decades in and around the pool. Each person brings something unique to the community, helping shape the sport and influence the experiences of those around them.
For Rebecca, the design recognises these individual journeys while celebrating the connections that unite us through water, culture and sport.
I hope the artwork reminds them that every individual has their own pathway, but no one travels alone.
This message is particularly meaningful in a sporting environment where teamwork, trust and collective effort are essential. Success is not built on individual achievements alone; it also comes from the relationships we develop, the support we offer one another and the sense of belonging that keeps people connected to the game.
The artwork serves as a reminder that every contribution matters, whether it happens in the pool, on the pool deck or behind the scenes.
As Water Polo Victoria continues to bring people together through participation, development and high-performance opportunities, this artwork offers a meaningful reflection of the community we are building - one that values every individual and celebrates what we can achieve together.
More than a design, it is a story of connection.
A celebration of our people, our pathways and our shared passion for water polo.
Water Polo Victoria believes reconciliation is a vital component of our social impact responsibility, but more importantly acknowledges the potential to support the Water Polo community to have a greater connection with the history of our country, the lands and waters in which Water Polo is played and the cultures that can be learned from.
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