About Us

What we do.

We’re a leading Australian agribusiness and processing company that has partnered with growers and producers for more than 100 years, to connect them with domestic and international customers.

Through the skills and capabilities developed in accumulating, storing and handling agricultural commodities over many decades, we now manage a wide range of grains, pulses and oilseeds and produce edible oils, biofuel components and animal feeds, as well as oils and shortenings for the food production industry.

With innovative processes and leading technology, we’re finding new ways to make our supply chain even more efficient, without compromising on the superior Quality Assurance we’ve become known for. 

From developing infant formula products, shipping woodchips, collecting Used Cooking Oil to make biofuel components or investing in the development of an eco-friendly new animal feed from Australian seaweed, our interests are diverse.

Outside of Australia, we also source locally from producers in the UK and Ukraine as well as through our joint venture in Canada. With our marketers in China, India and Singapore, we utilise our global network of grain, pulses and oilseeds specialists to ship our products around the world to help meet the challenges of feeding the world.

We celebrate the diversity of our people and our businesses. No matter where we are, we work together as one team and one GrainCorp with a vision to lead sustainable and innovative agriculture through another century of growth.

Our History

Amidst the First World War and increasing challenges of vermin, the New South Wales (NSW) State Government passed the Grain Elevators Act in 1916, which would provide construction of 200 grain terminals and silos in the state of New South Wales. The network would be connected by rail to shipping and it would be a move towards bulk handling for grains across the state.

The construction of the first silo began in 1918 at Peak Hill. It was originally a single-cylinder concrete bin that could store 50,000 bushels of wheat (roughly less than 1400 tonnes). The site’s capacity is now 35,000 tonnes.

The NSW Government controlled the elevators and terminals until 1989, when the NSW Grain Handling Authority was corporatised, paving the way for privatisation.

In 1992, a group of grain farmers banded together to buy the company from the NSW Government. Since then, GrainCorp, as it became known, has transformed from a NSW-based grain handling company into an international agribusiness with a diversified revenue stream.

The company was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) in March 1998, and soon after added operations in Victoria and Queensland, and later in North America and beyond through a series of mergers and acquisitions.

Board of Directors

Peter Richards

Peter Richards

Chairman and Non-executive Director

Peter Richards joined the GrainCorp Board in November 2015 and was appointed Chairman in March 2020. Mr Richards is a member of the People, Remuneration and Nominations Committee and the Safety, Health and Environment Committee.

Mr Richards was appointed Chairman of Spenda Limited (formerly Cirralto Limited) in January 2018, having served as a Non-executive Director since December 2017, and appointed Chairman of Symal Group Limited in November 2024. He was previously Chairman of Elmore Limited (retiring in December 2021) and EMECO Holdings Limited (resigned May 2024).

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Mr Richards has over 40 years of business experience with global companies, having worked in operational and business development roles in Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Mr Richards has extensive experience acting as chairman and director on public company boards.

Robert Spurway

Robert Spurway

Managing Director & CEO

Robert Spurway joined GrainCorp as Managing Director & CEO in March 2020. He was previously Chief Operating Officer, Global Operations for Fonterra Co-operative Group in New Zealand. Prior to this, Mr Spurway held a number of senior executive roles with Fonterra.

In his time at Fonterra, Mr Spurway held the roles of Chairman of Kotahi Ltd, Deputy Chairman of Prolesur S.A. in Chile and Director of DFE Pharma GmbH & Co.

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Between 2008 and 2011 Mr Spurway held CEO positions in Australia at Mrs Crocket’s Kitchen and Salad Fresh, in the prepared salads industry.

Mr Spurway has extensive leadership and operations experience across the food & agribusiness sector and has held executive and senior operational roles across Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Spurway holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Materials) from the University of Auckland; is a Graduate of the INSEAD AVIRA Executive programme; and is a Member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.

Kathy Griggs

Kathy Grigg AM

Non-executive Director

Kathy Grigg joined the Board in December 2019. Ms Grigg is Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee and a member of the Sustainability Committee.

Ms Grigg has an extensive background in finance and operational management, including as Finance Director of the Australian Wool Research and Promotion Corporation and leadership roles in agriculture sector organisations.

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Ms Grigg is currently a Non-executive Director of Agricultural Innovation Australia Limited.

Ms Grigg’s previous directorships include Director of SPSL Limited (formerly Suncorp Portfolio Services Ltd) (resigned September 2022), Director and Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee of Australian Pork Limited (resigned February 2020), and Director and Chair of the Audit Committee of Navy Health Limited (resigned November 2019). Ms Grigg was previously a member of the Audit Committee of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and a Council member and Deputy Chancellor of Deakin University.

Ms Grigg is a Fellow of both the Australian Institute of Company Directors and CPA Australia and has a Bachelor of Economics, Accounting and Finance from the University of Adelaide.

Daniel Mangelsdorf

Clive Stiff

Non-executive Director

Clive Stiff joined the Board in October 2021. Mr Stiff is Chair of the Sustainability Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.

Mr Stiff is currently a Non-Executive Director of Cleanaway Waste Management Limited and of Rabobank Australia Limited . He is also a member of the advisory boards of Quantium and of the University of New South Wales Business School.

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Mr Stiff was formerly a Non-Executive Director of Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, Chair of the Australian Food & Grocery Council, Chair of T2 Tea, Non-executive Director of Foodbank NSW & ACT and a member of the Genpact Australian Advisory Council. Mr Stiff has over 35 years of experience in the fast moving consumer goods industry. He was formerly CEO of Unilever Australia & New Zealand, CEO of Procter & Gamble France and previously held other senior executive roles with the company internationally, as well as locally with Goodman Fielder.

He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has a Master of Science, Management from the Ecole des HEC, University of Lausanne, Switzerland.

Daniel Mangelsdorf

Peter Knoblanche

Non-executive Director

Peter Knoblanche joined the Board in December 2023 and is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee and the People, Remuneration and Nominations Committee.

Mr Knoblanche has had nearly 40 years’ experience in wholesale and retail banking, having worked with various local and international banks across his executive career. He has a deep understanding of strategy, agribusiness, funding, commodity trading and risk management.

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Mr Knoblanche’ s most recent role was as Regional Manager of Australia and New Zealand and CEO Australia for Rabobank, a leading global food and agribusiness lender. Peter was also a member of Rabobank’s global Wholesale and Rural Management Team and has been closely involved in the agribusiness sector across Australia, New Zealand and globally.

Mr Knoblanche is a Non-executive Director of The Wheen Bee Foundation Limited.

Mr Knoblanche is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme 190, a graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Wollongong University.

Daniel Mangelsdorf

John Maher

Non-executive Director

John Maher joined the Board in December 2023 and is the Chair of the Safety, Health and Environment Committee and a member of the Sustainability Committee.

Mr Maher has had extensive experience in strategy, capital allocation, agribusiness growth and innovation, and agriculture supply chains. He also has a strong understanding of sustainability, international agricultural trade and Indigenous engagement and business.

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Mr Maher is currently the Chair of The North Australian Pastoral Company Pty Limited and a Director of goFARM Australia Pty Ltd and the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust. He is also a director of not-for-profit organisations, Autism Awareness Australia and the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation. John’s previous executive roles include long-term Managing Director & CEO of Ruralco Holdings Ltd (ASX: RHL), Senior Group Executive at Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) and AWB Ltd (ASX: AWB) where he led the Landmark (now Nutrien Ag Solutions) rural services business. Most recently John was Group CEO of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation.

Mr Maher has an honours degree in Agricultural Science from Sydney University, an EMBA from AGSM (University of NSW), completed the Advanced Management Program at INSEAD Business School in France, is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management.

Executive Leadership Team

Robert Spurway

Robert Spurway

Managing Director & CEO

Robert Spurway joined GrainCorp as Managing Director & CEO in March 2020. He was previously Chief Operating Officer, Global Operations for Fonterra Co-operative Group in New Zealand. Prior to this, Mr Spurway held a number of senior executive roles with Fonterra.

In his time at Fonterra, Mr Spurway held the roles of Chairman of Kotahi Ltd, Deputy Chairman of Prolesur S.A. in Chile and Director of DFE Pharma GmbH & Co.

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Between 2008 and 2011 Mr Spurway held CEO positions in Australia at Mrs Crocket’s Kitchen and Salad Fresh, in the prepared salads industry.

Mr Spurway has extensive leadership and operations experience across the food & agribusiness sector and has held executive and senior operational roles across Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Spurway holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Materials) from the University of Auckland; is a Graduate of the INSEAD AVIRA Executive programme; and is a Member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand.

Klaus Pamminger

Klaus Pamminger

Chief Operating Officer

Klaus Pamminger joined GrainCorp in 2007 and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in April 2019. Prior to this, he was Group General Manager – Grains, responsible for the Grains Operations and Trading businesses in Australia, Singapore, China, Europe and Canada. He was previously Group General Manager, GrainCorp Marketing.

Mr Pamminger is a Director of GrainsConnect Canada, a Director of FutureFeed and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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Prior to GrainCorp, Mr Pamminger worked for several companies in Australia and the US.

Stephanie Belton

Stephanie Belton

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer & Group General Counsel

Stephanie Belton joined GrainCorp in February 2019.  Ms Belton leads GrainCorp’s Legal and Company Secretariat, Corporate Affairs, Sustainability and ESG functions.

Ms Belton previously held General Counsel and senior management roles at SurfStitch Group Limited, Helloworld Limited, Qantas Airways Limited and The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.

Prior to Ms Belton’s corporate roles, she worked in private practice at Linklaters in London.

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Ms Belton holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Strathclyde (Glasgow) and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Oxford.

Ms Belton is admitted to practice in New South Wales and Scotland and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Stephanie Belton

Cassie Soady

Chief People Officer

Cassie Soady joined GrainCorp as the Chief People Officer in May 2024, leading the People & Culture and Safety, Health & Environment functions.
Ms Soady previously worked at NAB in the role of Chief People Officer for Digital, Data and Technology.
She was previously with the Woolworths Group for more than 10 years in a variety of HR and Transformation roles, including five years in a leadership role that established and scaled WooliesX (e-commerce, digital and customer loyalty).
Prior to Woolworths, Ms Soady held senior HR roles at Dubai Ports World (formerly P&O) and Coles Myer.

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Ms Soady holds a Bachelor of Science and Masters in Human Resources and Industrial Relations, both from the University of Sydney.
She is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Ian Morrison

Ian Morrison

Chief Financial Officer

Ian Morrison was appointed Chief Financial Officer in July 2020. As Chief Financial Officer, Mr Morrison leads GrainCorp’s finance and accounting, tax, treasury, risk management and shared services functions.

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Mr Morrison has previously held a number of senior finance roles across GrainCorp including CFO of the Grains & Oils divisions and Group Financial Controller. Prior to joining GrainCorp in 2011, he worked with KPMG in the United Kingdom and Australia. Mr Morrison holds a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (Hons) from the University of Glasgow and is a Chartered Accountant. He is a graduate member of AICD.

The GrainCorp way

While our GrainCorp team is diverse, we each believe in our values:  

We care

We deliver

We stay safe

We do what’s right

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Kaniva (VIC)

Artists: David Lee Pereira Completed in 2020
Kaniva VIC 3419, Australia

Working 12-hour days, 7 days a week, artist David Lee Pereira finished up his vibrant masterpiece of an Australian hobby falcon and sun orchids endemic to the region in just over three weeks.

“I wanted to paint images significant to Kaniva and that reflect on the rare beauty of the landscape and uniqueness of the Little Desert,” David explains.

“The sun orchids only bloom for a few weeks in Spring and don't grow anywhere else in the world – a reminder of their rarity and, without more conversations about conservation of our native flora and fauna, they will disappear.

“Meanwhile, the Australian hobby is a symbol of the resilience and strength of our community – a totem in  response to 2020 and the pandemic.”

It was fantastic to work with Authority Creative, David Lee Pereira art and West Wimmera Shire Council on another iconic silo art mural.

Additional Links:

Australian Silo Art Trail Page

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Thallon (QLD)

Artists: Joel Fergie and Travis Vinson
Completed in 2017

Thallon QLD 4497, Australia

Titled ‘The Watering Hole’ the mural portrays the Thallon district and its surrounding area to perfection. It features the Moonie River, an amazing Thallon sunset and the area’s agricultural base. It also recognises members of Thallon’s indigenous community by the inclusion of a scarred tree.

The overall inspiration for the mural comes from the work of three local photographers. They are Chantel McAlister’s ‘First Light’, the ‘Moonie River’ by Lila Brosnan and Gary Petrie’s shot of two pale face rosellas. ‘The Watering Hole’ was created from just a single A4 drawing, the imagination of the artists Joel and Travis and the Thallon Community.

The giant mural, which covers four 30-metre-high silos took just three weeks to complete using about 500 litres of paint and 500 paint spray cans.

Additional Links:
Documentary
Australian Silo Art Trail Page

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Yelarbon (QLD)

Artists: Brightsiders
Completed in 2019

46 Railway Parade, Yelarbon QLD 4388, Australia

From the very first brushstrokes you knew that the GrainCorp Silos at Yelarbon were going to be one of a kind. The only set so far in Australia to have this unique shape of two tall and six shorter silos all in row.

A major contributor to the concept design was Joel Fergie, whose vision was to create an oasis in Yelarbon which sits on the edge of a spinifex desert. Yelarbon is a town which has now been in the grips of a drought for over two years. At the last minute though, Joel had to pull out of the painting of the silos due to health issues.

The artwork was created by Jordache Castillejos and Jordon Bruce of Brightsiders and Steve Falco from Procreative.

The overall mural concept titled ‘When the rain comes’ depicts a young boy at play, cooling off in the Yelarbon Lagoon. In his hand is a paper boat that is set to float across the Yelarbon lagoon which will one day stretch across all shorter six silos. The paper boat is made from historical newspaper remnants that were found in the old Yelarbon jail, symbolising the history of the region and the creativity needed to drive future endeavours.

Additional Links:
Documentary
Australian Silo Art Trail Page

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Merriwa (NSW)

Artist: David Lee Pereira
Completed in 2019

Merriwa NSW 2329, Australia

The township of Merriwa is in New South Wales and is situated on the Golden Highway, between Newcastle and Dubbo. Merriwa offers many different activities and attractions and boasts the first ever painted GrainCorp silo in New South Wales.

International art management company Authority Creative represented Melbourne born artist David Lee Pereira, in his first ever silo mural creation. After visiting Merriwa and meeting with Upper Hunter Shire Council and members of the Merriwa community including - and perhaps most importantly - the school kids, David was inspired to create an artwork that was distinctive of the place, unique to the site and represented something the community would be proud of.

Why are there sheep wearing red socks?
Merriwa has long been known for high quality fine merino wool and the annual Festival of the Fleeces started in 1990. Red woollen socks were later donated to the Festival. Now the running of hundreds of sheep in red socks down the main street leading the festival parade, is an iconic image for the town.

Additional Links:
Drone footage
Australian Silo Art Trail Page

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Quirindi (NSW)

Artist: Peter Ryan Completed in 2022
Station St, Quirindi NSW 2343, Australia

The GrainCorp Silos at Quirindi NSW were completed in December 2022 by artist Peter Ryan, who was assisted by Keira Sloetjes and Kate Rutter.

The art on the silo tells the story of the past, present and future of the Liverpool Plains region It was inspired by fascinating Aboriginals stories about how certain animals worked with the indigenous community as helpers and protectors.

The northern side of the silo features Yurrandaali, the tree goanna, totem of the Liverpool Plains traditional lands, who is the protector of the lands.

To the right, the grey Bandaarr Kangaroo stands tall it is the knowledge holders and very wise, it would always be on the lookout and would sense any danger or troubles. It is red here to pay homage to Cumbo Gunnerah, also know as Red Cheif, a well-known Kamilaroi leader in this region. If there was trouble, the grey Bandaarr would tell the Tiluwidi Blue Bandaarr, who is the fastest kangaroo and therefore the messenger. It would hop off at great speeds to warn the other animals of the danger.

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Katamatite (Vic)

Artist: Tim Bowtell Completed in 2023
36 Katamatite Rd, Katamatite VIC 3649, Australia

The Katamatite Lions Silo Art Working Group were the passionate driving force behind the project for years, with the support of Moira Shire Council.

The artwork showcases a Wedge Tailed eagle, symbolizing the connection to the metal eagle in the Lions Park and paying homage to the traditional owners, the Kwat Kwat/Bangerang people.

The left silo portrays indigenous figures camped along the Boosey Creek, and a Scar Tree runs down the centre, connecting the two silos.

The design also features local plants and rare wildflowers. The top right showcases the first passenger train engine that serviced Katamatite in its early settlement days.

The bottom of both silos features a depiction of horses pulling a scoop to create irrigation channels, which played a crucial role in opening up the region to farming.

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Walpeup (Vic)

Artist: Julian Clavijo and Camilo Delgado Completed in 2023
26 Cregan St, Walpeup VIC 3507, Australia
Internationally renowned artist Julian Clavijo, in collaboration with Camilo Delgado, has been chosen to complete the mural, which will pay tribute to Walpeup’s Anzac history and the local men and women who served in war. The artwork will depict the story of Walpeup local Harold Thomas Bell, who enlisted at just 16 years old in Australia’s WWI efforts before sadly losing his life in the Battle of Bersheba.

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Lake Boga (Vic)

Artist: Tim Bowtell Completed in 2023
43 Station St, Lake Boga VIC 3584, Australia

The GrainCorp Silos at Lake Boga were painted by renowned silo artist Tim Bowtell in October 2023. Led by local group Lake Boga Incorporated, they spent five years planning how best to tell its story.

Painted by renowned local artist, Tim Bowtell, the mural reflects the town’s history, including the Catalina Flying Boat and its officer Georgie Urquhart “Scotty” Allan, who had a remarkable career as an aviator during WWII.

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Goroke (Vic)

Artist: Geoffrey Carran Completed in 2020
1 Railway St, Goroke VIC 3412, Australia

Beginning in late September 2020 and completing 7 weeks later in November, New Zealand-born artist Geoffrey Carran painted the GrainCorp silos at Goroke.

Geoffrey loves painting birds and has experience working on large-scale murals. He has  previously painted bird murals at Edenhope, Balmoral, Niddrie, and Naracoorte. He has also had exhibitions in Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, England and the United States.

Depicted on this mural are native birds, the Kookaburra, Magpie and Galah, significant to the town and region in front of local landscapes.

Additional Links:
Documentary on the project
Drone footage
Australian Silo Art Trail Page

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Sea Lake (Vic)

Artists: Joel Fergie & Travis Vinson Completed in 2019
33 Railway Ave, Sea Lake VIC 3533, Australia

The GrainCorp Silos at Sea Lake were painted by Joel Fergie, aka The Zookeeper and Travis Vinson, aka Drapl in October 2019.

The artwork depicts a young girl swinging from a mallee eucalyptus tree gazing out over the endless vista that is Lake Tyrrell. A powerful Wedge Tail Eagle saws above the girl and emus run off into the night. For millennia, this lake has existed, unchanged and untouched. It is a place of wonder and story. In this ever-increasing busy day and age, people universally long for space and solitude.

Additional Links:
Documentary of the project
Drone footage
Australian Silo Art Trail Page

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Devenish (Vic)

Artist: Cam Scale Completed in 2018 & 2019
28 Main St, Devenish VIC 3726, Australia

The GrainCorp Silos at Devenish in North East Victoria were painted by Melbourne Street Artist Cam Scale and were the 19th to be included in the Australian Silo Art Trail.

Stage one was officially unveiled on Anzac Day in 2018. Marked as a tribute to help celebrate the 100-year centenary of the end of the First World War.

The artwork depicts a stunning image of a WW1 nurse and a modern female military medic in the Australian Armed Forces. This mural also depicts the changing role of women in the military and society in general.

Stage two was officially unveiled one year later on Anzac Day, 2019. This mural is a tribute to the Australian Light Horse. The Australian Light Horse were mounted troops with characteristics of both cavalry and mounted infantry, who served in the Second Boer War and WW1.

Fifty young men and women from the Devenish Community enlisted in the military services in WW1. At the time, that was one in six residents from this very tiny town. Cam Scale also wanted to honour the seven Devenish diggers that never made it home.

Additional Links:
Drone footage
Australian Silo Art Trail Page

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St James (Vic)

Artist: Tim Bowtell
Completed in 2018 & 2019

23 Devenish Rd, St James VIC 3727, Australia

Painted by artist Tim Bowtell, the silos pay tribute to St James rich history.

St James is the home the first Coles store. Sir George Coles grew up in the St James township and took over the St James General Store from his father, expanding it to the empire it is today. See Sir Coles and the original general store portrayed on one of the murals.

The other murals depict St James' grain transporting history. Before the railway extension in 1886, St James was the drop off point for all the wheat from Tungamah in the North, Warby Range to the East and Yabba to the West.

In the 1915-16 season, a record of 405,000 bushels (135,000 bags) of wheat was transported to St James by horse and wagon, a motif that is displayed in the artwork.

Additional Links:
Drone footage
Australian Silo Art Trail Page

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Rochester (Vic)

Artist: Jimmy DVate Completed in 2018 & 2021
Rochester VIC 3561, Australia

Rochester is a small country town in Victoria approximately 180 km north of Melbourne. The Campaspe River runs right through the town which forms part of the Murray-Darling basin

The waters of the Campaspe River have been disrupted. Environmental flows are important to maintain threatened vegetation communities, aquatic life and habitat for many terrestrial species, such as the threatened swift parrot and squirrel gilder. The ongoing effect of declining river flows causes loss of habitat for many species of flora and fauna resulting in a decline of population for many forms of wildlife.

Jimmy D'Vate, one of Australia's most well-known mural artists was chosen to paint the GrainCorp Silos at Rochester. Whenever Jimmy takes on a commission, where possible he will always try to feature local endemically threatened species and in this case, he chose the Azure King Fisher and the Squirrel Glider.
The GrainCorp Silos at Rochester were painted in July 2018 and were the 22nd silos to be included in the Australian Silo Art Trail.

Stage two began in 2021, and Jimmy chose to showcase an endemically threatened species showcasing the large Duck-Billed Platypus. The Duck-Billed Platypus is often just referred to as the platypus since it is the only living platypus species today in Australia.

Located in certain parts of Australia only, platypus numbers are drastically low, and this unique creature is now at risk of extinction.

Additional Links:
Drone footage
Australian Silo Art Trail Page