Military Service Themed Street and Silo Art
Victoria has an impressive collection of street art, silo murals and painted water towers honouring Australia's military history. These artworks commemorate the courage, sacrifice and service of Australian men and women, from the First World War and the Australian Light Horse to the Second World War and modern military service.
Some artworks tell deeply personal stories of local soldiers, nurses and families, while others celebrate the changing roles of women in the armed forces, Indigenous military service and the history of military aviation. Many feature familiar symbols of remembrance, including red poppies, military uniforms and portraits of those who served.
These remarkable outdoor artworks provide an opportunity to discover Victoria's military heritage while exploring country towns and Melbourne's suburbs.
Silo Art
Devenish Silo Art (Devenish)
Devenish Road, Devenish
The spectacular silos painted by Cam Scale are among Victoria's most significant military-themed public artworks. The first two silos, unveiled in 2018, depict a First World War nurse and a modern military medic, reflecting the changing roles of women in military service.
A third silo, unveiled in 2019, honours the Australian Light Horse. The murals commemorate the military service of people from the small Devenish community, including those who never returned from war.
Walpeup Silo Art (Walpeup)
29 Cregan Street, Walpeup
Painted in 2023 by artists Julian Clavijo and Camilo Delgado, the Walpeup silos tell the tragic story of Harold Thomas Bell, a local teenager who enlisted in the Australian Army during the First World War.
Just 16 years old, Harold enlisted under the name Harold Thomas Wickham and joined the 4th Australian Light Horse Regiment. He was critically wounded during the Battle of Beersheba in 1917 and died from his injuries.
The enormous mural is a moving tribute to Harold and the many young Australians who served during the war.
Water Tower Art
Heywood Water Tower Art (Heywood)
29 Hunter Street, Heywood
The striking water tower mural honours five Gunditjmara men who served Australia during the First and Second World Wars.
The portraits include the four Lovett brothers - Leonard, Frederick, Edward and Herbert - and Captain Reginald Saunders, the first Aboriginal Australian to be commissioned as an officer in the Australian Army.
The artwork also celebrates Gunditjmara culture and connection to Country through imagery inspired by Budj Bim, traditional eel traps and possum skin cloaks.
Tatura Water Tower Art (Tatura)
83 Ross Street, Tatura
The historic Tatura Water Tower features a magnificent portrait of General Sir John Monash, one of Australia's most celebrated military commanders of the First World War.
Painted by Cam Scale and Andrew Davis, the artwork includes a spectacular waterfall of red remembrance poppies.
The tower has a particularly interesting connection to Monash, who designed the original reinforced concrete structure before the war. The tower was completed in 1912, and the murals were unveiled in 2021.
Cressy Water Tower Mural (Cressy)
19 New Station Street, Cressy
Painted by Tim Bowtell in 2024, this large mural celebrates the history of Cressy, including its important role in Australian military aviation.
The artwork features a Hawker Demon aircraft and a Supermarine Spitfire, recalling the Royal Australian Air Force training facilities established at Cressy before and during the Second World War.
Cressy was home to an armament training station and later the Central Gunnery School, where pilots undertook advanced combat training.
Street Art and Murals
ANZAC Mural (Sunshine North)
Corner of Furlong Road and Godfrey Avenue, Sunshine NorthPainted by Ash Coates in 2021, this commemorative mural honours the sacrifices of Australian servicemen and women during the First World War.
Based on historical photographs and wartime accounts, the artwork depicts a line of soldiers representing the enormous number of Australians who served and the many who never returned.
Women in War Mural (Violet Town)
Violet Town RSL, 37 Cowslip Street, Violet Town
This impressive 17-metre-long mural by Tim and Sam Bowtell was unveiled in 2024 and celebrates the contributions of women to Australia's military history.
The artwork depicts women who served in the armed forces or supported the war effort, including women with connections to Violet Town.
Its historical scenes span the Boer War, First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Vietnam War and the evolving roles of women in military service.
ANZAC Poppies and War Memorial Murals (Corryong)
Near the RSL War Memorial and Memorial Gardens, Hanson Street, CorryongCorryong has several commemorative artworks that can be viewed while exploring the town's historic centre.
A mural featuring a field of remembrance poppies overlooks the Memorial Gardens, while other artwork near the RSL car park includes military remembrance imagery.
The murals provide an opportunity to reflect on Australia's military history and the service of local residents.
More Military History and Public Art
For more impressive outdoor artworks across Victoria, see:
- Silo Art Locations in Victoria with Map
- Water Tower Art Locations in Victoria with Map
- North East Victoria Silo Art Trail
- Seymour Military History Trail
