Moorabool Shire Street and Public Art
Moorabool has a number of public art installations throughout the shire.
Bacchus Marsh
The Platypus River Mural by Lukas Kasper (2022)
The mural helps promote awareness of the platypus and other unique fauna and flora in the Werribee River. The species included in the mural are: Platypus, Bacchus Marsh Wattle, Growling Grass Frog, Purple Crowned Lorikeet, Spotted Pardalote, Damselfly, River Red Gum. All of these species occur along the Werribee River in Bacchus Marsh. The shapes and colours in the mural represent some of the other local native plants found along this section of the river.
Location: Side of Bacchus Marsh Outdoor Swimming Pool, 55 Grant Street, Bacchus Marsh
Carnival Undersea by Min Chiang
Our imagination is an irreplaceable creative force. Every minute and every second, we are creating our own unique life. When I create on canvas, that's when I create everyday joy. I pampered my imagination when I painted the Carnival Undersea. I bring creatures to life and feel like they're dancing, swimming, and enjoying the moment.
Location: 175 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh
Life through a Kaleidoscope by Min Ray
Have you ever looked through a kaleidoscope? It turns the world before you into geometric, colourful and joyful art. Let's try to view life through a kaleidoscope.
Location: 215 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh
RSL Memorial Seat
This memorial seat is dedicated to all the service men and women from Bacchus Marsh and district who served in World War One. It depicts Rupert Moon VC, Kathleen Rogers and William West MM, who are all from Bacchus Marsh and have trees dedicated in the Bacchus Marsh Avenue of Honour. This memorial seat was a project of the Bacchus Marsh Great War Centenary Committee to recognise the Anzac Centenary. Dedicated 6th May 2017
Location: Bacchus Marsh RSL, 203 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh
Supporting Frontline Workers
Location: Bacchus Marsh RSL, 203 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh
Colourful Flower Mural by Lukas Kasper (2022)
Location: Near entrance to Peppertree Park, 55 Grant Street, Bacchus Marsh
Bacchus Marsh Town Gateway
Location: One gateway is north west of Bacchus Marsh along Bacchus Marsh Road (near #3A), Bacchus Marsh. Another gateway is along Gisborne Road, Darley.
Ballan
Moorabool Earth Totem by Peter Blizzard (2009)
The late artist, Peter Blizzard, created Moorabool Earth Totem to capture the spirit of the Moorabool community. Located outside the Mechanics' Institute in Ballan, Moorabool Earth Totem draws inspiration from the surrounding environment and landscape. The towering totem not only represents key geological features, such as the local waterways, rivers and mountains but also honours the people of the area. If you look closely, an outline of the You Yangs can be seen across the top of the sculpture.
Location: 143 Inglis Street, Ballan
The Red Dot by Ayob bin Ismail (2010)
A kinetic artwork by Singaporean artist Ayob bin Ismail which is made from seven geometric plates, each representing a key facet of Ballan: community, natural landscape, history, culture, arts, vibrancy and tourism. The Red Dot symbolises prosperity, longevity and harmony for the Shire. This name also nods to Singapore's affectionate moniker, 'little red dot', which celebrates the nation's achievements despite its limited land size.
Location: Outside Council Offices, 15 Stead Street, Ballan
Ballan Mineral Spring Sculpture
The aim of the wooden sculptural work and interpretative signage is to reconnect the mineral spring site at Ballan (and also at Spargo Creek) with the Moorabool River and broader landscapes of the area, and to acknowledge Indigenous connection to the sites. The sculptural installations consist of two interconnected works made from 120 year old locally sourced red gum, that reflect the ecological and cultural values of the mineral springs and the Moorabool River.
Location: Ballan Mineral Reserve, Shaws Road, Ballan
From Above by Samantha Thompson
My current work is focused on play; why and how we play, and what is socially acceptable for adults to engage in. I like to think we all love to play, as we did in childhood, without fear of judgment, and for no other reason than the pure joy of it. The oil on paper monoprints that I've developed each explore bodies and play. The bold rounded shapes overlap and intertwine with each other, creating a vibrant and 'playful' ascetic. The works intention is to spark joy and remind us all to make time for play in our lives.
Location: 143 Inglis Street, Ballan
Night Shift by Tomas Lineker
The Night Shift series is a body of work I have created with my spare time after work, mostly at night time. Aimed to bring joy through colours, and driven by a fervent desire to find the perfect colour combinations, and thirst to keep exploring and learning.
Location: 148B Inglis Street, Ballan
RSL Mural by V. Georgiev (2008)
Location: 146 Inglis Street, Ballan
Ballan Town Gateway
Location: One gateway at the west end of the town (near 437 Old Melbourne Road) and another at the east end of town.
1000 Weathervanes in Ballan
You won't find as many as 1000 weathervanes around Ballan but keep your eyes open and looking upwards. Reputedly there are 47 to find.
Location: Various locations around Ballan, mainly along Inglis Street, Ballan.
Blackwood
Blackwood Town Gateway
Location: South of town along Greendale-Trentham Road, Blackwood
Water is Life by Kathy Holowko
The fairy wren is a local resident that provides us with 'encounter value' – a scientific term used to describe the meaningful worth in chance meetings with wild animals. This artwork includes illustrations captured in the pristine environment of 18th century Australia and utilises the museum trope of the diorama to create a replica of an ecosystem. The three dimensional composition is a contemporary interpretation that reflects upon the idea that a healthy waterway is the life blood of a habitat that allows plants and animals to flourish... including the human animal.
Location: Karen's Kitchen, 19 Martin Street, Blackwood
Darley
Fearless by Anuradha Patel and Velislav Georgiev (2011)
Fearless was inspired by the Avenue of Honour in Bacchus Marsh. Crafted from stainless steel, the collaborative work by Anuradha Patel and Velislav Georgiev, depicts shiny silver trees and a golden wedge-tailed eagle (Bunjil). The trees appear to be holding up the eagle, encouraging it to soar. Velislav, has a vivid memory of a wedge-tailed eagle (Bunjil) flying over him as he was completing the sculpture.
Location: Moorabool Shire Council Civic Hub, 182 Halletts Way, Darley
Binak Biik by Aunty Kim Wandin and Christine Joy (2013)
Binak Biik, also known as Basket Country, is a project that encourages a tactile exploration of the local landscape through woven baskets, plants and basalt rocks. The work highlights fibre and food plants including Wallaby grass (Rytidosperma caespitosum) and Kangaroo grass (Themeda triandra). These plants produce seeds (Woiwurrung - buath dirrandil) which are ground and milled into flour for damper. The basalt rocks reflect the geology of the Western Plains.
Binak Biik honours all layers of Wurundjeri Country, recognising it as a life-giver and provider. The work also acknowledges Wurundjeri women (bagurrk) as the weavers in community. The baskets are symbolic, representing the preservation of a traditional lifestyle and a resilient community. Women, as gatherers of knowledge and stories, use baskets as vessels to gather food and provide for their family. These baskets also hold babies (bubup).
The process for this sculpture began with fibre baskets woven by master weaver and Wurundjeri Elder, Aunty Kim Wandin, using techniques passed down through her matrilineal heritage and rooted in deep time. The fibre baskets were then cast and transformed into bronze sculptures.
The basalt plains of Western Victoria once supported biodiverse and widespread grasslands. Due to colonisation, this ecosystem is now critically threatened, primarily because of extensive land clearing for the farming of hard-hooved animals that destroy plants and soil. Precious remnant vegetation offers shelter to endangered animal species including the Golden Sun Moth (Synemon plana) and the critically endangered plains-wanderer (Pedionomus torquatus), both also face threats from introduced predators such as cats and foxes. Over millennia, management of the landscape by Wurundjeri people created a sustainable living landscape based on reciprocity and respect.
Location: Telford Park All-Abilities Sculpture Trail, 88 Wittick Street, Darley
Gordon
Beryl by Adam Bennet
Beryl was inspired by a French-language TV program about 'brut art'. Translated literally as 'raw art', the term refers to self-taught or naive artists with little or no contact with the conventions of the art world. Having art as a hobby and with no formal training, sometimes the worries of competition, acclaim, and convention can be subdued. The emergent joy of inner direction manifest over the course of watching that TV program in this unusual portrait sketch drawn on digital graph paper. The theme of colour came much later, and is in the form of a mosaic pattern with half-tone fill.
Location: Side of The Shambles, 95 Main Street, Gordon
Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo by Adam Bennet
Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos were a regular visitor on the back balcony of my apartment. At the time I was living in Sydney and working tong hours in a busy job. Often, I would arrive home to find a flock of these magnificent birds perched over the back guardrail and furniture, peering around inquisitively. Immediately, the stress of the day would dissolve, replaced by feelings of joy and connection with nature. Over time I came to took forward to seeing them, and I learned that these birds are large, brave, intelligent, and curious, and they live for many decades in the wild.
Location: Gordons at Gordon, 69 Main Street, Gordon
Gordon Bleu Cafe Mural by Ben Creaney and Myrawin Nelson
Location: 69 Main Street, Gordon
Gordon Town Gateway
Location: South east of the town along Old Melbourne Road (just south of Winter Street), Gordon
Greendale
Greendale Town Gateway
Location: South of the town along Greendale-Myrniong Road (just north of Hastings Road), Greendale
Maddingley
IGA Maddingley Mural
Location: IGA, 4A McCormacks Road, Maddingley
Mount Egerton
Mount Egerton Town Gateway
Location: Along Yendon-Egerton Road (near Egerton-Ballark Road), Mount Egerton
Myrniong
Myrniong Town Gateway
Location: South of town along Old Western Highway (between Dormar Lane and Blow Street), Myrniong
Spargo Creek
'Brim Brim' Spargo Creek Mineral Spring Reserve Sculpture
The aim of the wooden sculptural work and interpretative signage is to reconnect the mineral spring site at Spargo Creek (and also at Ballan) with the Moorabool River and broader landscapes of the area, and to acknowledge Indigenous connection to the sites. The sculptural installations consist of two interconnected works made from 120 year old locally sourced red gum, that reflect the ecological and cultural values of the mineral springs and the Moorabool River. Brim Brim is the Wadawurrung word for spring waters.
Location: Spargo Creek Mineral Spring Reserve, 1399 Ballan-Daylesford Road, Spargo Creek
There are ten paste-ups across the shire.
