A unique collection of photos representing Mulwala’s rich history has been erected on a wall in Mulwala.
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A total of eleven numbered photographs forms a unique view of the 1858-estabished Mulwala known as ‘Our Mulwala Wall Art’ and is located on the front, external wall of Mulwala Civic Centre, which also houses the Mulwala Library History Group.
Dating back to the 1800s the images include historic buildings such as the Mulwala Bridge, Royal Mail Hotel, Mulwala Post Office and the Mulwala Homestead. Mulwala icons such as Pat Talbot, who introduced the first mail delivery in Mulwala in 1960, workers from the King & Jones Sawmill and the 1923 Mulwala Football Team.
Favourite activities such as the maypole dance at the Plumpton, golfing at the Yarrawonga & Border Golf Club feature, alongside the Halburd’s punt and the old goods train crossing the Murray River.
Shirley Loveridge, daughter Joanne Payne (left) and granddaughter Shelly O’Bryan loved seeing inclusion of the above photograph in the civic centre wall art which included: her father Walter Jones grandfather George King, brother Allan Jones (third from left), brother George Jones (left), cousin Jim Orr and brother-in-law Charlie McKenzie.
The artwork is a joint project between the Mulwala Library History Group and the Federation Council and was manufactured and installed by Michel Signs of Shepparton on August 11.
The 4.3 m wide x 2.4 m high metal etched piece includes cultural and historical photographs of Mulwala etched into aluminium.
Mulwala Library History Group spokesperson Cheryl Peachy said she was very excited for this project to be completed.
“It is important that Mulwala’s past is recorded and shared as much as possible, so the broader community and tourists to the area can learn of the stories and unique experiences that have formulated the town of Mulwala,” she said.
Cheryl appreciated the support of Federation Council in turning the photographs into a work of art.
The official part…Federation Council’s Amber Harvey, Mulwala Library History Group’s leader Cheryl Peachy, MC John White and the sole remaining person from the photographs, Gary Gardiner.
“We’ve had great support from Federation Council – team leader Amber Harvey and Camille Whitehead community projects and events officer,” she said.
With her graphic design background, Camille was tasked with putting a lot of photographs into the production.
Over her two-week project, she made it visually interesting, with the various scenes moulding into each other. Text explaining the 11 photographs is positioned alongside the artwork.
Graham Gardiner of Mulwala is the sole survivor from the photographs in the artwork, in number 9 relating to the town’s old sawmill.
“I was the young boy in the photo at the old sawmill – I was about 11,” the now 77-year-old said.
“The artwork is great, containing a lot of history of Mulwala.”
The wall art was described as beautiful by former long-time councillor with the former Corowa Shire Council Paul Talbot OAM. “It’s a great picture of Pat, Mulwala’s first mail deliverer, in the late 1950s,” he proudly said. “The whole wall art looks terrific.”
Mayor Bourke said public art is a valued part of the Federation Council area and is a powerful resource for revitalisation and enhancing public spaces.
“It provides an avenue for telling local stories, making spaces more vibrant and increasing visitors to the area,” the mayor said. “It showcases the history of the area.”
The Mulwala Library History Group meets every Tuesday at the Mulwala Council Office and library. The group comprises Mulwala residents who have a shared interest in history. The group has been collecting history information, images and local stories of the places and people of Mulwala for several years.
Comprising some 10 members, the Mulwala Library History Group is thrilled with the result.
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