Local artist and resident Lauren Green has been selected to bring alive a 42-metre wall facing Winchelsea’s railway reserve.
A colourful, vibrant mural will soon adorn the rear north-facing wall of Journey Early Learning Childcare Centre, thanks to the efforts of a Community Project Working Group, led by Growing Winchelsea.
In February, Lauren begins work at 63 Hesse Street, seeking to beautify the blank wall, add interest to one of Winchelsea’s key visitor gateways and capture and celebrate what makes the town and district special.
“I am so passionate about improving spaces within our community and when I saw this opportunity pop up, I couldn’t even contain my excitement,” Lauren said.
“I am proudly Winch and I absolutely adore it for all it is. I have always noticed the lack of public art here though, for such a colourful and diverse community our infrastructure says differently.
“I paint murals for a living and to be able to paint one in my hometown, on the back of the day care where my two boys attend is an absolute dream come true.”
Cr Heather Wellington said Growing Winchelsea’s Station Precinct Sub-Committee registered the proposal with Surf Coast Shire Council’s Community Project Development Program last year.
“Council is helping progress the project, but this is largely community led. The work by Lauren is bright, colourful, and a perfect fit to bring creativity and fun to the space,” Cr Wellington said.
The mural is thanks to joint funding from the:
- Surf Coast Shire Community Initiatives Grant ($5,000)
- Journey Early Learning Childcare Centre owner ($5,000)
- Regional Arts Victoria – Regional Arts Fund Quick Response Grant ($5,000)
- Lions Club of Winchelsea ($3,000)
- Community Bank Surf Coast Community Initiative Grant ($3,000).
Project working group lead and Growing Winchelsea member, Louise Hall, said they were happy to take a lead role in delivering the mural, including sourcing additional funding.
“This project involves the Lions Club, students and teachers from the local school, the Growing Winchelsea Station Precinct group and the childcare centre,” Louise said.
“It is a great place-making project that has engaged a local artist with strong links to the town and location.”
Lions Club of Winchelsea president Sam Inglis said the mural will brighten the precinct and town.
“We are really looking forward to the end result,” Mr Inglis said.
“It’s going to be a community asset, and something unique to the town. It also involves the next generation, as the school kids are participating in the production of the mural.
“The community involvement in this project really stood out. That’s part of the Lions’ charter. We are here to serve the community and that’s why we are involved.”
The mural is set to be completed by March 2024.
IMAGE CAPTION: (Left to Right) Angela Hall, Rebecca Morris from Journey Early Learning Centre Winchelsea, artist Lauren Green, Louise Hall, John Hutton and Graham Kenafacke from Growing Winchelsea, and Winchelsea Lions Club.
