Murals make their mark on national stage

7 November, 2019

Gunnedah can now lay claim to one of Australia’s top memorials.

Representatives from the Gunnedah Historical Society last night attended the Australian Street Art Awards after the new murals at the Gunnedah Water Tower Museum were nominated for an award.

The Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Murals were nominated for “Best Memorial or Monument" in the inaugural Australian Street Art Awards at Australia’s Art of Attraction Tourism Summit.

The murals made the finalists as one of the top five “Best Memorial or Monuments” in the country.

Gunnedah representatives Cr Owen Hasler and Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley attended the awards ceremony at Marcoola Beach in Queensland.

“Street Art and Silo Art has become a significant movement across the country that is transforming landscapes to culturally immersive experiences and has changed the tourism trails of Australia, especially for the grey nomads,” Ms Mackley said.

Gunnedah’s Vietnam Veteran Memorial Mural Project was one of the three finalists for the category, alongside Emu Park: Centenary of ANZAC Memorial and Great Southern Line ANZAC Story.

The winner of the category was Emu Park: Centenary of ANZAC Memorial, a boardwalk with a timeline of World War I’s many major battles.

“Although the Gunnedah Historical Society Vietnam Veterans’ Project did not win, it is quite an accomplishment to make it to the final three in the country,” Cr Hasler said.

“It provided some great exposure for the Gunnedah Water Tower Museum and the wonderful work of the Gunnedah and District Historical Society.”

 The Vietnam’s Veterans’ Watertower Mural Project was funded by the Drought Communities Program to help support and stimulate regional economies.

The project has seen a sizeable increase of visitor numbers to the Gunnedah Water Tower Museum and to Gunnedah.

Other categories at the awards included: Best Street Art Trail, Best Rural Art, Best Business Mural, Best Street Art Festival and Event with the Best of the Best going to Thallon’s Silo Mural “The Wateringhole”.

There were also categories for Best Nomad Attraction or Tour, Best Grey Nomad Council Free-stay Caravan Park and Best Grey Nomad Community and Commercial Caravan Park.

The awards were accompanied by keynote speakers and panel discussions identifying street art as the single biggest art movement in the last 50 years, with the power to save and transform many regional and remote economies.

Everyone is welcome to go to Gunnedah’s Anzac Park to see The Gunnedah Vietnam Veterans’ Water Tower Museum Project and see this creative and moving community initiative.

Photo caption: Gunnedah Shire Council Cultural Precinct Team Leader Lauren Mackley and Gunnedah Shire Councillor Owen Hasler at the Australian Street Art Awards.

ENDS

Media contact: Eliza Gallen (02) 6740 2100.