Silo Art
short break Trail, Victoria

Minyip outback Flying Doctors main street

Minyip ‘Flying Doctors TV series’ The story of small towns writ large. The commercial hotel is open, against the odds with boarded up buildings part of the hotel’s landscape. There is a considerable effort to rejuvenate individual premises and a genuine sense of pride in belonging to Minyip. A warm welcome assured in the general store

Sheep Hills Silo Art

Created by Melbourne-based artist Matt Adnate, the vividly colourful silo murals of Wergaia elder Uncle Ron Marks, Wotjobaluk elder Aunty Regina Wood, and two young children, celebrates the region’s Indigenous culture, and stands dazzlingly against the stark landscape. The settlement of Sheep Hills is largely a town where the residents and businesses have departed.

Sheep Hills was once busy with a school, Mechanic’s Institute, a couple of banks, several pubs, and a racing club. But there’s not much there today save the modest Mechanics Institute and, of course the magical Silo.

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Warracknabeal sheep sculpture

Warracknabeal is a metropolis with over 2,000 residents. The main street is a commitment expressed through sculptures of sheep representing first European settlers and their sheep flock. Warracknabeal is home to Wheatlands Warracknabeal Machinery Museum. More vintage tractors and photographs of stoic looking farmers gazing into dry horizons.

Historic buildings in the main street, known as Federation Square has notable buildings:

• Tudor styled 1907 Post Office with an ornate carved entrance
• Creekside Hotel and other hotels with cast iron lacework.
• State Saving Bank (1908) now housing Warracknabeal Historical Society open 2.00on to 4.00pm Monday – Friday, open Sunday.

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DETOUR 

Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum. Located on the Wimmera River, is the WIMMERA MALLEE PIONEER MUSEUM. Albacutya Homestead, the region’s first sheep station and cabins was gifted to the museum in 1969. For visitors interested in fossicking around local heritage collections, Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum is a must do stop. Open 10.00am-3pm Mon Wed Fri, 1-4.00pm Sat and Sun, also by appointment.

Rosebery Silo Art

Rosebery Silo Art. Resilience looks over the dry farmlands with a stoic stance. As the Silo Art Trail describes, “Melbourne artist, Kaff-eine spent time in the Mallee assisting fellow artist Rone on his Lascelles silo project. During this time, Kaff-eine travelled to neighbouring towns” connecting with the lives of the people.

Lake Lascelles is on the edge of town. The lake has been enhanced with plantings and facilities such as BBQ, toilets, boat ramp, powered camping sites. It is popular place for fishing and water sports.

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Woomelang snake mural on cafe wall @Silo Art Trail

Woomelang snake mural on cafe wall. A great place to stop for a coffee and a selfie. Snake mural.

Woomelang WWII kerosene tin shed

Roadside view of a  practical shearing shed constructed using compressed kerosene tins. A superb Aussie example of ingenuity and working with what’s on hand during World War II.  Nothing wasted, nothing gained. The shed is on private property. The shed does not have a lick of paint and is gently rusting into the landscape that created it. Location is on Woomelang brochure.

The Drover’s Hut Gallery (Lascelles) @TripAdvisor

If you are a fan of corrugated iron sculpture then the Stockman’s Hut (Drovers Hut) Lascelles is a must do stop. Artists Phil and Marlee Rigg have sculptures throughout wimmera Mallee, check out the giant mallee fowl is now found in Patchewollock.

Lascelles Silo Art Trail artist, Rona Rona has captured a four generation farming family with their lives etched onto their faces. A washed out technique was used to soften the image and blend the work into the landscape.

Afterwards pick up a  snack and relax by the lake. Lake Lascelles is a picturesque recreation spot approximately 1/2km from Hopetoun main street shops. The foreshore park has picnic facilities, BBQ and there is a childrens’ playground, a boat ramp and water sports facilities.

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Patchewollock Silo Art Trail solitary farmer

Patchewollock Silo Art, the flannel shirt says it all. Eyes forward, “rugged, lanky local exemplified the no-nonsense, hardworking spirit of the region.” The closed railway station precinct is now a small historical park.

The Railway Station is classified by National Trust as a building of significance. Two corrugated Malle fowl sculptures, installed late 2013 (artist Phil Rigg) decorate the park. The community centre has a painted textile wall mural illustrating the impact of climate on the lives of Patchewollock women.

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Lake Tyrrell salt infused shallow water

Lake Tyrrell sunset photos, Lake Tyrrell is a 120,000 lake usually dry or with very shallow water. Lake Tyrrell is the largest salt lake in Victoria. The lake is occasionally fed by Tyrrell Creek. It is considered an ideal location for viewing the southern hemisphere night sky. The salty form of the lake bed makes for interesting dawn or sunset photography. Highly reflective surface.

Lake Boga Flying Boat Base @Wikiwand

Why on earth should I go to Lake Boga?

Flying Doctors, you’ve visited the town where a TV series was filmed now get to check out Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum.

Lake Boga was a quiet World War II secret RAAF base established in 1942 in response to the Japanese attacks on Broome saw the loss of 15 flying boats and at least 88 people.

The Aviation Museum or Lake Boga Flying Boat Museum  has faithfully restored a Catalina A24-30 and the original, secret communication bunker as a commemoration to the service men and women who served at No. 1 Flying Boat Repair Depot, Lake Boga, Victoria, from 1941 to 1947.

From this humble beginning, countless volunteer hours, “blood. Sweat and tears” and many more beers, the “dream” finally came to a conclusion when the modern hangar which houses a restored Catalina and other exhibits was officially opened on 21st April, 2012.

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Nullawil Silo @Bendigo Advertiser

Nullawil Silo is an 85 year old concrete silo. Now the canvas of Australian street artist Smug. The scene is a weathered farmer, in a blue flannelette shirt, with his kelpie sheep dog next to him. Smug has named the dog Jimmy. The seventh installment on the Silo Art Trail.

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