Wool Bay mural complete

Artists have completed giant new murals on a SA Water tank and shed at Wool Bay.

The murals, located on Green Flat Road, were designed and painted by Sam Brooks and Harley Hall, with the assistance of Mark Harding, Rachelle Plazeriano and Gary Nowlan.

The artwork traces the history of Wool Bay from Narungga First Nations to European settlement and the town port through to modern day, including local flora and fauna as well as the town’s iconic lime kiln.

The artwork is part of the Southern Yorke Peninsula Water Tower Mural extension project, which also includes the recently completed giant mural at Minlacowie.

The project was made possible with $130,000 funding from the Australian Government through the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and $20,000 from SA Water.

“Council is excited about the expansion of the SYP Water Tower Mural Trail to now include these two impressive tank murals,” Mayor Darren Braund said.

“The Wool Bay tank is a real head turner with vibrant colours and beautiful artwork popping out at you.

“Importantly, both of the new murals feature Narungga history and culture.

“All of the murals along the Mural Trail are unique and eye catching, and together they now create a great self-drive loop of southern Yorke Peninsula.”

Lead artist Sam Brooks said it was great working with the community to come up with a design for the tank.

“The community is very happy with the design, we worked on it together and it’s a great piece that will attract tourism to the area,” he said.

“We ended up with a design that focuses on local animals, plants as well as Narungga elements painted by local artist Harley Hall.

“It has all wrapped together to tell the story about the life cycles of the area and the two cultures working side by side.”

Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Programme grants were put in place by the former Government to assist local communities to counteract the effects of COVID-19 on local economies.

“It was so successful we decided to extend the funding stream, and the new Government has backed the program, and I thank them for that,” Mr Ramsey said.

“The program allows local Councils as the arm of government closest to communities, determine its use.

“The towers have attracted enormous interest and are making a real contribution to the Yorke Peninsula economy, and they look fantastic.”

About the murals

 Minlacowie

Artists: Mike Makatron (lead artist), Conrad Bizjak, Dylan Butler, Harley Hall, Jason Swales (mentorship recipient), Sabine Meyer (junior mentorship recipient)

Design includes: Female red kangaroos (Narungga totem animal for the Wawi clan of the north) facing north, emus (Narungga totem animal for the Garrdi clan of the east) facing east, sharks (Narungga totem animal for the Widhadha clan of the south) facing south, eagles (Narungga totem animals for the Wildu clan of the west) facing west, the Narungga symbol for a meeting place, or community, Narungga line work , flora found in the Minlacowie region, the old Minlacowie homestead, the pink salt lakes of the Yorketown region just south of Minlacowie, taken from an aerial photograph by Adam Meyer of AdBe Photography (also a windmill based upon another AdBe photo), and a coastal scene of Port Minlacowie based on a painting by Terry Braund.

Wool Bay

Artists: Sam Brooks (lead artist), Harley Hall, Mark Harding, Rachelle Plazeriano (mentorship recipient), Garry Nowlan (junior mentorship recipient)

Design includes: Town history on the shed, starting with Narungga First Nations (including line work, significant fauna and symbol for meeting place/community) then progressing to the early days of the Wool Bay port, modern Wool Bay on the tank with flora and fauna (taken from a photos supplied by Wool Bay residents), feature piece on the back of the tank ‘Women in the clouds’ in recognition of both the modern agricultural area’s reliance on rainfall as well as women’s contributions to Wool Bay throughout time.