By Kath Gannaway
THE launch of the Murals of Warburton project in December marked the culmination of a landmark that has been on the books for over a decade.
The unveiling of the 52nd mural, honouring 20 of Warburton’s community achievers, was a highlight of a community event held as part of the Warburton Community Carols night on Thursday, 20 December.
Initiated by the Warburton Advancement League (WAL) around 2004, drawings were created depicting the landmark buildings, public places and activities that tell the story of Warburton.
In 2011 Warburton Chamber of Commerce and WAL resurrected the project and committee member Norman Orr was set the task of making it happen.
The old platform of the Warburton Railway Station, in the centre of town behind the Waterwheel Centre, was selected as the ideal site.
Peter Brugel was commissioned to begin painting the murals and has seen the project through to its spectacular end.
Mr Brugel joined community members for the unveiling of the Warburton Community Achievers mural, along with family members of the 20 people chosen for their contribution to Warburton.
The mural, sponsored by Cr Jim Child, recognises WD Salisbury, Herb Thomas, Bill Richards, Jackie Lewis, Dick Leith, Bob Morton, Mary Morton, Harry Martyr, Keith Thomas, Barry Marshall, Mac Sparke, Len Gill, Earle Parkinson, Pat Molloy, Keith Johanson, Father Cerini, Coral Borgas, Jesse James, Don Vickers and Ian De La Rue.
For those still with us, including Mr Marshall, Keith Thomas and Dick Leith, the unveiling was an emotional surprise.
Many of the fellow achievers, were their contemporaries representing a wide range of activities in the town from sport and CFA to commerce, church and community work.
Mr Orr said it was one of the most difficult tasks selecting just 20 people from the nominations received.
Ted Chisholm, he said was definitely in that league, but was already represented with his own mural ‘In Memory of Ted Chisholm’.
The murals make a fascinating exhibition celebrating the living history of the town with some surprising inclusions.
Who knew that two Indian working elephants once hauled the timber that helped create Melbourne and surrounds, or that the Cog Bike Cafe was originally the St John Ambulance Depot.
W.J. Bessell Boot Shop, originally relocated from the gold mining town of Walhalla, now houses Valda Street’s amazing collection of collectibles and historic memorabilia, and Ottrey’s Hardware Store was so far ahead of its time in the 1920s with a roof-top garden with glass-houses, grape vines and bee-hives.
The Fire Brigade Rotunda, Gainsborough Building and 1960s Main Street, Warburton Chalet and the Dammans Road Primary School, timber mills, farming, guesthouses and the Seventh-day Adventist contribution to Warburton are just some of the history captured by Mr Brugel.
Mr Orr said the murals were sponsored by local businesses and families wanting to celebrate Warburton’s history and their own family contributions.
A booklet providing a snapshot of each mural and its history was produced by WAL and sponsored by Warburton/Yarra Junction Bendigo Community Bank for the event.
