Local agricultural history inspires two Home Hill murals

The Burdekin’s rich agricultural history has inspired a North Queensland artist with two new murals erected in Home Hill’s Eighth Avenue this week.

Scenes from the inaugural Sweet Days, Hot Nights Festival now bring the side of the ML Partners building to life, whilst local produce being enjoyed by a backpacker at the beach brightens the façade of the building previously occupied by Ben’s Retravision.

Regional Arts Development Fund Advisory Group Chair Cr Uli Liessmann said Council engaged Townsville artist Jon Bradshaw – who also produced the Burdekin Snow mural at the Home Hill Comfort Stop last year – to create the eye-catching scenes.

“The Burdekin’s Art Trail has been rapidly expanding throughout the shire, with five murals erected in the Ayr and Home Hill CBD’s in the past eighteen months,” Cr Liessmann said.

“We’ve had lots of great feedback about Jon’s artwork at the Comfort Stop, so it’s really exciting to have him back creating two more amazing murals in our Shire.”

Mayor Lyn McLaughlin said the addition of new street art in the CBD helped enliven the area and made it more appealing for shoppers, workers and visitors.

“It’s hoped that these new, eye-catching murals will entice people into the CBD centres and hopefully they will stay to shop or dine at one of the local businesses,” Cr McLaughlin said.

“Council is continuing to investigate the possibility of more artwork and would love to be able to expand the Burdekin Art Trail throughout the Shire.”

Cr McLaughlin thanked the Queensland Government for making the project possible through the Works for Queensland Program.