Work at the Pensioners Hill water tank mural site is taking shape with many compliments received from the community.
Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group’s Owen Hasler said “excellent progress” has been achieved already at the old reservoir on the northern side of the public reserve.
Experienced artists Heesco Khosnaran and Ron Long are completing the work depict representations of Gomeroi Indigenous culture, the Aboriginal language group of this area, and images depicting the history of the Pensioners Hill site.
Mr Hasler said Heesco completed his half-section of the work using “spray cans” meanwhile Ron was making excellent progress on the inside of the reservoir last week.
Ron will then move to the outside to complete his external images which should take about another week.
“We have received very complimentary comments both from visitors to Gunnedah as well as locals,” Mr Hasler said of the murals so far.
“Families of the early residents have been very pleased that their family history has featured as part of the project.”
GULG is now working with local business to develop signs which will include recollections from family members about their lives on the hill as well an explanation of each photo replicated by Heesco in the history section of the murals.
It will also include an outline of features of Kamilaroi (Gomeroi) culture which appear in Ron’s murals.
These should be ready for installation by the end of October or early November.
Mr Hasler said many people view the work from the viewing area that has been created on the hill above the tank but a number of the more active viewers have been prepared to walk down the track to get a close-up view of the total works.
“We are also pursuing further funding to construct a concrete path to, and around, the water tank in order to increase accessibility as well as the installation of a picnic shelter for people to linger longer and enjoy the murals while having lunch or morning tea,” he said.
The GULG is planning to host an ‘official opening’ closer to completion to recognise those who have been instrumental in the mural project.
Artist Ron Long with some of the murals created so far.
