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

Artists: Joel Fergie and Travis Vinson
Completed in 2017

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

Artists: Brightsiders
Completed in 2019

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

Artist: David Lee Pereira
Completed in 2019

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Artist: Tim Bowtell
Completed in 2018 & 2019

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

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

Artist: Kaff-eine
Completed in 2017

The GrainCorp Silos at Rosebery were completed in late 2017 and was the 13th to be included in the Australian Silo Art Trail.

Before commencing her artwork on the Rosebery silo, Melbourne based artist Kaff-eine, spent time in the Mallee assisting “Rone” on the Lascelles silo mural project. Kaff-eine also used this time to travel between the neighbouring communities. She discovered the natural wonders of the environment around her and acquainted herself with the local families, farmers and business owners of the area also. By doing this Kaff-eine identified the elements that she felt truly represented the spirit and tenacity of the Mallee.

On one silo she captures the image of a young female farmer, a strong woman who is used to the hardships of the land. Her clothes are work-shirt and jeans with turned down cowboy boots and depict the life she lives. Her sufferings through drought and the other hardships of the land.

On the other silo is a man sharing a tender moment with a very close friend. He portrays the image of the typical Mallee farmer with his Akubra hat, boots and oilskin vest. Whereas the horse, with head bent shows its mutual trust, love and genuine affection for his companion and owner.

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

Artist: Rone
Completed in 2017

Renowned Melbourne Street Artist “Rone” painted the images of a local couple Geoff and Merrilyn Horman on the GrainCorp silos at Lascelles in the WimmeraMallee Victoria.

The town has a population of just 48 people on a good day, but Rone selected the Hormans above all others. They are a humble couple, who are both wise and knowing and who have nurtured the town with their vast farming experience and longstanding connection to the area.

Their family has lived in the area for four generations. Geoff and Merrilyn were both born in the district and then married later in Lascelles in 1967. Together with their two sons and now their families also, they have continued the family tradition of wheat farming and strong community involvement.

In mid 2017 Rone worked for two weeks to transform these two 1939 GrainCorp silos which now portray Geoff and Merrilyn looking over their hometown forever.

They were the eighth silos to be included in the Australian Silo Art Trail

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

Artist: Fintan Magee
Completed in 2016

Patchewollock is a town in the north-west region of Victoria. It also marks the beginning of the 'Silo Art Trail' from its northern end.

The GrainCorp Silos at Patchewollock were the fourth silos to join the Australian Silo Art Trail and the second to be painted in the WimmeraMallee region of Victoria.

They were painted by Brisbane artist Fintan Magee. For inspiration, and to get to the know the people of the area, Fintan booked a room at the local pub so he could mix among the local community.

It wasn’t long before he met the subject for the Patchewollock Silos. A hard working local by the name of Nick “Noodle” Hulland, who exemplified the no-nonsense, hardworking spirit of the region.

This twin silos were built in 1939 and transformed in late 2016.

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

Artist: Adnate
Completed in 2016

The GrainCorp Silos at Sheep Hills are the 5th silos to be included in the Australian Silo art trail and the 3rd in the Wimmera-Mallee region of Victoria.

Adnate, who is a Melbourne based artist, has spent much of his career telling the stories of First Nations people and their native lands by painting wonderful murals of them throughout Australia.

To get inspiration for this mural, Adnate spent time among the Barengi Gaijin Land Council in north-west Victoria, building friendships and getting to know the people better.

Adnate's mural is of a Wergaia Elder named Uncle Ron Marks, along with a Wotjobaluk Elder, Aunty Regina Hood. They both stand beside two young children, Savannah Marks and Curtly McDonald.

Conceived over four weeks in late 2016, Adnate wanted to shine the spotlight on the areas  young First Nations people, but he also wanted to portray their strong ancestral connection that they share with the elders in their communities.

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

Artist: Guido van Helten.
Completed in 2016

1991 Henty Hwy, Brim VIC 3391, Australia

In January 2016, nine months after the completion of the Northam Silos in Western Australia, the GrainCorp silos in Brim, in the Wimmera-Mallee region of Victoria, were painted by world
renowned Australian artist Guido Van Helten.

Guido was raised in Brisbane and was a graffiti artist in his youth. He is now well known for his photorealistic murals.

The Brim mural infused the town and region of the Mallee with newfound energy. It offered anticipation of growth and prosperity for the surrounding farmers and families of the area and was the beginning of the Silo Art Trail in Victoria.

The faces on the mural are anonymous, but they are said to portray a multi-generational quartet of farmers both male and female who show the strength and resilience that is required to be a country Victorian farmer.

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