The official opening of the Birchip silo art – in pictures

A decade after GrainCorp commissioned its first silo mural on Australia’s east coast, the Victorian Mallee town of Birchip has become the latest chapter in the story, officially unveiling a striking new mural that honours one of the community’s most celebrated stories.

On Sunday 6 September, community members, project supporters and visitors gathered to celebrate the official opening of GrainCorp’s Birchip mural – the 20th artwork in the company’s silo art trail – as the iconic Lexus Melbourne Cup rolled into town.

Painted across five GrainCorp silos, the mural honours local jockey Ray Neville’s remarkable 1948 Melbourne Cup victory aboard the horse, Rimfire, bringing one of Birchip’s proudest moments to life on a grand scale.

The arrival of the Melbourne Cup to Birchip for the unveiling added a fitting touch to the celebrations – creating a powerful connection between the town’s proud racing history and one of Australia’s most recognisable sporting trophies.

Members of the Birchip Community Forum were joined by Buloke Shire Mayor Cr Graeme Milne and guest speaker, journalist and author Andrew Rule, to celebrate the people, stories and history that have shaped the community.

The unveiling marked a significant milestone not only for Birchip, but also for GrainCorp’s ongoing contribution to Australia’s renowned silo art trail.

As GrainCorp celebrates the 10th anniversary of its silo art program in 2026, the Birchip artwork reinforces the role silo art continues to play in drawing visitors to regional communities and preserving local stories.

“Over the past decade, silo art has breathed new life and purpose into rural and regional towns, transforming disused grain silos into landmarks that symbolise resilience, creativity and regional pride,” said Community Engagement Manager, Kyle Docherty. 

“Now, the movement is helping shine a spotlight on the town of Birchip, giving visitors another reason to stop, stay and experience all it has to offer, and GrainCorp is incredibly proud to be a part of that.” 

The Birchip opening also provided an opportunity to recognise the dedication of local champions, particularly the late Joan and Rod Glen, whose passion and commitment were instrumental in making the project a reality.

“I’ve been involved with the project from the very beginning and so for me personally, the Birchip mural is one that has been especially close to my heart,” continued Kyle. 

“Joan first championed the idea of the mural back in 2020 because she believed so strongly in the town and its history. After Joan’s passing, Rod continued to advocate tirelessly for the project, helping carry it through to completion, until his own passing just a few weeks ago. 

“I know they would have been incredibly proud to see the Melbourne Cup roll into town for this unveiling and to see Ray Neville’s story celebrated in such a meaningful way.” 

Kyle concludes: “It was a privilege to work with the Glen family and the wider community to bring one of Birchip’s most inspirational stories to life, and to see that shared vision realised has made this a truly special occasion.” 

To read more about the story behind the mural, visit https://www.graincorp.com.au/graincorp-celebrates-20th-silo-art-project-with-new-mural-in-birchip-victoria/

To find out more about GrainCorp’s 10 Years of Silo Art, visit https://www.graincorp.com.au/silo-art/10-years/