Wellington Shire Street and Public Art
Wellington Shire has the goal to enhance public places in the Shire through the promotion and encouragement of engaging and appropriate public art. Public art is the region includes:
Boisdale
Playground Wooden Horse Sculpture
Location: Playground, Cnr Lagoon Lane and Main Street, Boisdale
Briagolong
Briagolong Crossroads Mural by Simon White
A scene that is befitting of Briagolong, with cows, farm dogs, sheep, horses, beekeepers, and late well-known local, Doc, in his 1930 Dodge, and other local characters.
Location: 26 Avon Street, Briagolong
Briagolong General Store Mural by Simon White
A mural painted on the Briagolong General Store/Post office celebrating the town's historical buildings as they look today. The mural is dedicated to Ben, the son of the proprietor. He can be seen sitting on a bench on the verandah of the pub. Ben passed away in his sleep in March 2018.
Location: 4 Avon Street, Briagolong
Intuitive Ink Mural by Simon White
The design is related to the all female tattooists and their mostly female clients. There is a beautiful and powerful woman, embraced by a snake that sheds its skin to reveal its inner self to the wise and intuitive owl.
Location: 12 Forbes Street, Briagolong
Briagolong Quarry Reserve Mural by Simon White
Location: 365 Freestone Creek Road, Briagolong
Briag's Big Horse Sculpture by Trevor Gartung
Created from reclaimed metals, Trevor Gartung installed a larger than life horse at the front of his house to raise funds to support MND Victoria and ensure the best possible care and support for people living with MND. Passers-by are encouraged to check out Briag's Big Horse and place a donation in the tin. All funds raised go directly towards the care, support and equipment for people living with MND.
Location: 71 Victoria Street, Briagolong
'In every drop of water there is life' Sculpture by
The design involves a Fibonacci spiral of pale yellow ochre gravel, rivers stones, pink-orange gravel, blue grey and orange plants. This demonstrates the focus of energy at the innermost point of the spiral, and the plants and river stones represent water travelling along this spiral. This focused water energy is drawn up the central `stalk' which is made of reclaimed bridge beams. The dry earth, symbolized by the rusted steel circle is energized "In every drop of water there is life".
Fibonacci - (mathematical order present through nature)
Location: Anzac Park, 23 Avon Street, Briagolong
Heyfield
Boxing Kangaroo Sculpture
Location: 60 Temple Street, Heyfield
Fly High Olivia Grace Mural by Simon White
A commemorative piece for local child, Olivia Grace. Olivia Grace got her angel wings too early. Olivia loved pink flamingos, butterflies and rainbows. If you zoom in you can see a poem Olivia wrote when she was only six.
The moon is shining
The birds are singing
The flowers are growing
The people are walking
The children are playing
The stars are glowing
And everyone is happy.
Location: 48 Temple Street, Heyfield
Heyfield IGA Mural Mural by Dennis Leversha
Location: 22 George Street, Heyfield
Heyfield Pool Mural by local artist Tams Hesz
Location: Cnr Mary Street and Allman Street, Heyfield
Heyfield RSL Mural by Simon White
Location: 58 Davis Street, Heyfield
Victorian Timber Workers Memorial Sculptures
Location: 22 George Street, Heyfield
Newry
Newry Main Street Mural by Simon White
Newry is a small rural town in the heart of Victoria's Gippsland region, embodying the quintessential charm of Australian country life. Located on the fertile flats of the Macalister River, it serves as a peaceful hub for farming communities, retirees, and commuters. With a population hovering around 450 residents, Newry offers a serene escape from urban bustle, blending rich agricultural heritage with modern rural amenities.
(L to R) Farmers Arms Hotel also known as the Newry Pub, was established in 1870s. The couple on the left of the hotel is Ray & Daf Weatherly they owned the Hotel from 1966. The second couple on the right; The son of Ray & Daf, Max & wife Helen Weatherly took over in 1978. Sadly, the pub burnt down in 1982 and took 2 years to be rebuilt, opened again for full operations in 1984. In 1997 the Weatherly family sold the Hotel, and since then several enthusiastic owners and operators have kept the pub open as an iconic local pub.
The Newry Butter Factory was established in 1904 by the local dairy farmers forming their own co-operative butter factory in Newry. The Newry co-operative was amalgamated with the Maffra Butter and Cheese Factory in 1950. Further mergers and the advent of bulk milk transport led to the closure of the Newry factory in 1964.
McNally's Newry Butchery became Newry's first prominent butcher by the Tattersons. In the mid 1970's, Ivan McNally took over the business and ran it for over 40 years as a family operation until he retired in 2017. The shop still stands today.
Main Street Newry - Newry township was officially gazette in 1860's by W. Dawson, C.P. Rafferty and G. Hastings. They named the town after Newry in Ireland, reflecting the Irish heritage of many settlers. By 1871 the essentials like a store, post office, the hotel and school were established. Newry quickly became a hub for is surrounding residents and is still today as it stands in the Shire of Wellington and as Gippsland's slogan goes the Middle of Everywhere.
Newry Fire Truck - The brigade was formally established around 1952 and has been an important part of the surrounding areas and communities', caring for the safety and wellbeing since then.
Glenmaggie Weir Wall was constructed between 1919-1926 and holds 177,000ML when full. The weir was built to support irrigation for the region's farms. The Glenmaggie Lake itself offers a great spot for water sports and is a popular camping and fishing destination for locals and visitors alike.
Dairy Farming Industry Victoria is the cornerstone of Australia's dairy sector, with around 4,300 dairy farms contributing over 60% of the nations milk production, which is approximately 6.5 billion liters of milk annually. We have the beautiful dairy cows and farmers to thank for the delicious dairy products we buy everyday from local shops and supermarkets.
Sugar Beet Industry gained momentum in the 1890's after trial in the 1870's. Drought over the following years led to unprofitability. Then being revived in 1910 with support of the irrigation from Glenmaggie. Post World War II dairy became more profitable leading majority of farmers to abandon sugar beet. Some farmers still grow Sugar Beet today.
Newry Post Office opened in 1869 originally as Upper Maffra Post Office, later renamed Maffra Upper in1889 and then Newry Post Office in 1894. The Post Office played a vital role in the small rural community. Still operating today servicing the local farmers and residents with essentials, coffee, newspapers and postal services.
Other significant buildings in Newry include the brick Church built in 1885 in the main street.
St Ita's Catholic Church was constructed in the 1890s and today still remains as a place of worship for the local Catholic community, hosting masses and community events.
The Newry Hall which was originally constructed in 1882 as a Mechanics Institute, a Victorian-era institute for working-class men. The hall addition was added in 1913. The well-maintained building now serves as a local hub for community activities and events.
Newry also has tennis courts, a golf course and recreation reserve with camping facilities. In its heyday Newry had a Football Club and a Netball Club.
The mural and sign have been funded by the Newry locals, wider district and visitors of the region.
Location: Opposite 61 Main Street, Newry
Rosedale
Patrobas Horse Statue
The Patrobas Story is the true story of the only Gippsland horse to win a Melbourne cup.
This event took place in 1915, in the same year Patrobas also won the Caulfield Guineas and the Derby. This feat has not only not been repeated but is unlikely to be. Patrobas was owned by a local lady Mrs Edith Widdis, who resided at Nambrok House, the current home of Mr Peter McGauran MHR. Mrs Widdis received Patrobas as a birthday present from her husband and after being beaten in a two horse race at the now defunct Rosedale Racecourse, Patrobas was sent to Mr Charlie Wheeler a significant trainer of the day. The result of this action is now in the annals of racing history. Mrs Widdis became the first female owner of the Melbourne Cup. The rider Bobby Lewis was the first race rider to ride four Melbourne Cup winners. Patrobas carried the rose pink silks belonging to Mrs Widdis and saddle cloth number 19. The Patrobas statue was erected as a result of the dedication of the Rosedale Chamber of Commerce and Industry and is constructed from plate steel. The statue was unveiled and dedicated by Mr Peter Hall MLC on November 4th 2007. The cup won by Patrobas is on display at the Arts Centre in Sale.
Location: Prince Street Reserve, 63 Prince Street, Rosedale
Prince Street Reserve Toilet Block Mural by Sue Coppock
A mural with some artwork for some great insta shots.
Location: Prince Street Reserve, 63 Prince Street, Rosedale
Prince Street Reserve Thank You Mural
Dedicated to those who aided bushfire relief.
Location: Prince Street Reserve, 63 Prince Street, Rosedale
Rosedale Bakehouse Mural
Location: Inside Rosedale Bakehouse, 36 Prince Street, Rosedale
Hawk with Snake Sculpture
Location: Opposite 40 Cansick Street, Rosedale
