Breeza’s bushranger Ben Hall was re-immortalised last week when his mural received a fresh design and paint.

While Ben was born in 1837 Maitland, Breeza Progress Association’s Deb Clift described him as a “lad of Breeza” and the wall at the rest area celebrates that connection.

“Life wasn’t kind to him,” Deb said.

As told by Deb, he was arrested for alleged crimes, but was released for lack of evidence. When he returned home after being locked away, he found out his wife had run off with their son and his cattle were all dead or gone.

It was then he decided he would become what he was claimed to be, a bushranger.

“He never killed anybody. That’s one thing about him,” Deb said.

He spent three years travelling the roads, robbing and gaining wealth along with fame on the way.

His story came to an end when his friend reported his whereabouts to troopers, with the reward of £1000. Half for the troopers and half for his “mate”.

Just four days before his 28th birthday he was shot and killed in Forbes.

His story is a part of the local history with Ben Hall’s father even working for Deb’s relatives who owned Breeza Station.

Deb said that while the previous wall’s mural by was well done, there were some inaccuracies including where he was born.

It was originally painted for the 150th anniversary of Ben Hall’s birth, depicting the last three years of his life. With that being almost 40 years ago, the mural had naturally faded and was time to be updated.

“We’re not celebrating the fact that he was a criminal, not at all. But we are celebrating the fact that he was in our area, he didn’t do that much wrong and [his legend],” Deb said.

The new mural by artist Katie Louise Bigg depicts Ben Hall on his horse, which for Deb was a favourite.

UPDATE TO BREEZA: Mural artist Katie Louise Bigg giving ‘Ben Hall’s Wall’ new life with a fresh design and paint last week.

In the background are troopers chasing him down, while in the foreground is his wife and child.

The reverse side has animals along with silhouettes of indigenous people around a campfire.

Katie spent last week painting the mural as commissioned by the progress association.

She researched the story behind Ben Hall and used it for inspiration for the mural.

She projected an image onto the wall and sketches it before painting with colours that gives attention from the crowd.

“It is incredible. She does brilliant work,” Deb said.

“You stop because it grabs your eye.”

The Gunnedah area will continue to see her work in the upcoming months, with The

Conadilly Canvas also planning to take shape soon.

“[Breeza Progress Association] wanted really bright colors and it to be visually storytelling and something that would really stand out from the road,” Katie said.

For Katie, her favourite part was the tree next to Ben Hall and his horse.

“I love painting Australian flora and fauna and doing it in my style which is a bit more bright and high contrast,” she said.

“I am really grateful that [the progress association] commissioned me and Deb wanted to get this going so that everybody can enjoy the artwork that stops [travellers] and helps the community.”

She also commended the work of the original artist Bronwyn Bassett.