Gunnedah's memorial to Vietnam War veterans will be preserved in the coming months.
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A UV coating will be applied to the murals on the water tower museum to protect them from the elements.
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The painting of the murals were funded in the first round of the Drought Communities Program and depict 'Huey' helicopters and a group of soldiers on the southern side, and on the northern side, soldiers gazing on the Long Tan Cross complete with a painstakingly detailed plaque.
The final piece in the project - the UV coating - is funded under the second round of the program and will be done by the artist, Jenny McCracken, in spring, at a cost of $10,000.
The water tower museum is home to the Gunnedah and District Historical Society, and member Marie Hobson said they were "very grateful" for the funding.
"We need the coating because of the intense heat here and weather conditions. It will protect the murals for future generations," she said.
Society president Bob Leister said they wanted the coating to go on as soon as the murals were completed in August 2019, but finances weren't available at the time.
The society hopes to attract grants funding for a third mural to be painted on the eastern side of the tower, which could boost visitation even more.
Since the art project was officially launched on Anzac Day last year, visitation at the museum has increased by almost 500 per cent.
The murals joined the growing list of art works on the Australian Silo Art Trail and were also shortlisted for the 2019 Australian Street Art Awards.
Mr Leister said he was pleased that a mural will also be painted on the Gunnedah Maize Mill, which should attract more tourists to town.
Murals central
- The alleyway between Conadilly and Little Conadilly streets is the home of the Vibrant Precincts Project - a collection of collaborative murals. Arts Gunnedah is now driving a new project to add to the artwork alley.
- The late Nancy Small is remembered in a koala mural painted on the side steps of the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery by The Arts Shed.
- The mural on the Gunnedah Maize Mill on New Street will feature the late poet Dorothea Mackellar and scenes of rural life.
- Gunnible Landcare Group would like to see local scenes painted on the decommissioned Kelvin pumphouse.