Lake Illawarra High School students andYouth Off the Streets volunteers spoke to senior citizens about their memories and the changes they had seen in the community during theirlifetime.

Participants, with the help of a professional artist, then created large chalk murals based on the conversations.

While the art works are currently on display at the shopping centre,  they  will be moved  to Shellharbour Village on January 28 for a second exhibition.

Shellharbour City Council’s arts and cultural development officer Sarah Davis said the art works were engaging.

‘‘One is about Bull Island, an island with only one cow living on it, whereas others share more commonalities, such as the Port Kembla stack coming down, which was watched by many Shellharbour residents,’’ she said.

Ms Davis said the project aimed to encourage and support older people.

‘‘[We want to] make the city a place where older adults can stay healthy, active and engaged.’’

Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said the project responded to the council’s Healthy Ageing Strategy.

‘‘It allows for engagement between younger and older people and skill sharing between the different age groups,’’ she said.

The murals will be on display at the Shellharbour Village exhibition space between 10am and 2pm until February 1.