Winchelsea’s railway reserve gets colourful revamp

A VIBRANT mural overlooking Winchelsea’s railway reserve has been completed, greeting visitors to the town with a colourful celebration of the local fauna.

The mural, painted by local artist Lauren Green, adorns the rear north-facing wall of Journey Early Learning Childcare Centre at 63 Hesse Street, Winchelsea.

“I was so emotional when I finished,” Green said.

“This is the project I had been looking for without realising. It feels like all these teeny tiny steps of life led me here to this wall, to the most soul-filling, joyful work I’ve ever experienced.”

 

Intended to showcase “a day in Winchelsea”, children from Winchelsea Primary School and the childcare centre, which Green’s children attend, contributed design ideas to the 42-metre mural.

During workshops, the children were asked about the things they see every day in the town and what they would like to see included in the mural.

Ms Green said she had tried to incorporate as many of their ideas as possible into the final product.

Students from the primary school were also given the opportunity to help Ms Green paint the mural during two sessions held on February 14 and February 21.

 

“I loved working with them. They come up with the best ideas,” Green said.

She said it was important for the local children to be involved in the project and to “feel a part of something”.

“It’s just been so special.

“They will have this connection to [the mural] all the time now, forever.”

John Tebbutt from Growing Winchelsea, the community group that registered the proposal for a community inspired mural with the Surf Coast Shire last year, said the project had strengthened the sense of community in the town.

“It has brought younger and older generations together, promoting a healthy and active town,” he said.

“I encourage everyone to come and have a look and feel a sense of pride in this project, initiated and completed by locals, and involving our local students.”

 

At a cost of $21,000, the mural has been funded jointly by the property owner of 63 Hesse Street, the Lions Club of Winchelsea and grants from the shire, Regional Arts Victoria and Community Bank Winchelsea.

“This project has been such a wonderful example of the good passionate community groups can do for their towns,” Winchelsea ward councillor Heather Wellington said.

“This beautiful piece has brought such colour and joy to the area, given school students a wonderful sense of pride, and captures the essence of Winchelsea so perfectly.”

The mural’s official opening will take place on March 27.