Talented artist Jimmy Dvate has called time on a mural six years in the making, completing the final instalment of the silo art project in Rochester, VIC this month.

The mural project, led by the local Rochester Business Network, began in 2018 with three stages planned over a six year period.

Nestled in the banks of the Campaspe River in Northern Victoria, the town of Rochester is naturally home to many species of flora and fauna. However, the ongoing effect of declining river flows has caused habitat loss, resulting in declining populations of several forms of wildlife.

With a passion for conservation and a body of work that highlights endangered flora and fauna, renowned contemporary artist Jimmy Dvate was chosen to highlight some of these species.

The first murals featuring threatened species the Azure King Fisher and Squirrel Glider were completed in July 2018, followed by another declining species in the local area, the large Duck-Billed Platypus, painted in December 2021.

Jimmy added a New Holland Honeyeater this month, which symbolises the local community spirit.

“The photo of the New Holland Honeyeater was taken by a Rochester local, Bruce Povey, who takes amazing photos – it’s been great to work with him to bring the mural to life,” says Jimmy.

“The bird connects with Rochester in more ways than one, like through its colours of black and yellow being the same as the local football and netball team.”

“Being such a tiny bird, they often get chased off by the bigger birds, so they come together as a team and fly in big groups and that often overwhelms the bigger birds. It reminds me of the Rochester community; they’ve faced some big challenges and have come together as a team to try and conquer them.”

For Jimmy, bringing silos to life through art is a humbling experience, particularly for what it brings to the local community.

“For me, it’s an amazing opportunity and a real honour to do something like this, especially coming back and seeing the difference the artwork can make,” says Jimmy.

“It’s such a great thing for the Rochester community, who have been through some tough times in recent years, particularly with the floods in 2022.

“Bringing people back into the town is important and I’m glad the silos help to make that happen.”

The Rochester Business Network says Jimmy is a valued member of the community.

“Jimmy has become part of our local landscape – his willingness to understand the local environment to find the right options to put on the silos and his relationships within Rochester is special,” says Kate Taylor from Rochester Business Network. 

“Every member of the Rochester community has contributed a part to the silos, and they can now enjoy it every day,” says Kate.

Rochester is one of 18 towns supported through the GrainCorp Silo Art program since 2016.

Does your community want to join the Silo Art Trail?

More about the GrainCorp Silo Art program can be found here.