Discover the ancient and colonial history of our towns and villages, and see the region that has inspired artists for thousands of years.
'By the Banks' by Street Artist Samuel Hall. Covering two sides of the Apex Park public toilet block the mural tells the historic story of the Mulwala area. The Mural design incorporates Mary Jane Rose, Mulwalas Grandmother. Mary was the local nurse and midwife, often walking to towns surrounding Mulwala to deliver babies for many locals. As the…
Sculpted by local artist Andrew Whitehead of Urana, this piece was the first commissioned by the Federation Council. This interactive artwork doubles as a bicycle rack on the shores of Lake Mulwala, at Digger Loughnan Fishing Jetty.Many of Andrew Whitehead's masterful sculptures can be found North of the Murray. Other towns North of the Murray…
Yarrawonga Mulwala Historical Society has established a massive Museum complex, containing an astonishing array of exhibits, all contained within a spacious indoor facility, opposite the Ski Club in Mulwala. There is something for everyone: sporting, agricultural, domestic, photographic, aviation, leisure, medical and dental, Defence forces,…
A storyboard sits on the street outside the Royal Hotel in Corowa, detailing the story of Federation, particularly how it relates to Corowa as the Birthplace of Federation. The timeline steps through the Federation story year by year.The Timeline storyboard is accompanied at various points throughout town by plaques in front of relevant buildings…
Step back in time and discover Corowa's history and its role in the birth of Federation Australia by visiting the Corowa Federation Museum. Museum displays include: reason for Australia becoming a federation and Corowa's involvement; Dr John Quick's role in the federation; local Aboriginal artefacts; Tommy McRae sketches; horse drawn vehicles and…
Spanning the majestic Murray River from Corowa in New South Wales to Wahgunyah in Victoria, this iron lace bridge was named after one of Wahgunyah and Corowa's pioneer founders, Mr John Foord. He operated the original punt across the Murray River and was instrumental in building the first bridge. The original piles are still visible from the bank…
Painted by local artist Tracy Hancock, the local business owners were inspired by silo art they had seen and wanted the local scenery of the Murray River to fill the wall. God's Country 1 mural was completed in 2019 and took approximately 150 hours to complete. A partner to "God's Country 1", God's Country 2 was commissioned in 2021 by the same…
In its long life, the Mechanics Institute has operated intermittently as a cinema for irregular screenings over the years, among other uses. Earlier records however state that the Howlong School of Arts was built by Mr W. Squires and opened on 21 October 1887. It can only be concluded that the façade of the building was added in 1895 by contractor…
The Historic Crossing Place is situated downstream from the Leahy Bridge, the first in a series of bridges crossing the Murray in Howlong from New South Wales to Victoria. To the right of Rutherglen Road on the Victorian side, the Historic Crossing Place is a pleasant roadside stopping place.This stop is significant because, on the night of 17…
Oaklands is home to a unique threatened orchid: the Oaklands Diuris. To celebrate and raise awareness of the orchid and improve the streetscape for locals and travellers alike, the Oaklands Country Women's Association commissioned a sculpture of the orchid in a teacup. The sculpture stands at approximately 1.5 metres tall.The sculpture was a true…
The "Hardworking Horse" sculpture at Daysdale, situated in the picnic area across from the Exchange Hotel, had a plaque unveiled on 27th March 2021 in honour of the late Len Hanrahan, a local farmer who lost his 40 year-long battle with cancer in 2020. Len's motto, featured on the plaque, reads "Coming together as a community brings people…
Step back in time with the Urana Soldiers Memorial Hall. The historical building represents an outstanding example of the architecture of yesteryear and is thought to be the largest of its type in New South Wales. Take a look for yourself and call for an inspection now. Contact Fiona Brooks during business hours on the number supplied.
The Savannah Goanna was installed in front of the Urana Bowling Club in 2018. This Federation Council initiative, perched on a large rock near the tennis courts, required some fine-tuning by creator Andrew Whitehead in order to fit on the rock. Savannah was inspired by the bark drawings of Yolngu artist, David Malangi, that are illustrated on the…
In the heart of the township of Urana, a flock of sheep can be found clustered around a trough. Two corrugated iron drovers herd the sheep, and a scrap metal horse also stands at the trough. These corrugated iron sculptures are a community art installation, where families around the area each paid AUD100 to get a sheep. The sheep are "dressed" in…
Opened in 1959, St Fiacres Roman Catholic Church in Urana was built just to the south of the current church, St Mary's. St Mary's celebrated its first mass on 7 January 1883 with the bell tower being built in 1885.Many local families have had several generations associated with St Fiacres, with almost all family members having being baptised at St…
This impressive sculpture, created by scrap metal artist Andrew Whitehead, is the second-largest spider sculpture in the world. Until the 1980s the local Urana football team was known as The Spiders, and this sculpture pays homage to that fact.Mr Whitehead, who is afraid of heights, installed the artwork on the water tower himself, climbing a 16m…
In May 2021, a new tribute to the late Tim Fischer was unveiled in Boree Creek. The scrap metal sculpture detailing his likeness was crafted by artist Andrew Whitehead, using references and keepsakes from Mr Fischer's wife and family members to match his resemblance. The sculpture shows a likeness of Tim Fischer riding a small green steam train.…
The Swagman and Rusty sculpture was commissioned by the Boree Creek Town Improvement Committee to celebrate the 2010 Boree Creek Centenary. The theme of the sculpture was chosen to remember the passing of the travelling 'swaggy', which was once a common sight 50 years ago on country roads. The scrap metal sculpture was designed and erected by…
Toolbox was commissioned by the Morundah Bush Entertainment Committee (MBEC), The Morundah Town Improvement Committee (MTIC), and individual members of the Morundah community to commemorate 100 years of both registered and bush picnic horse racing in Morundah. Created in 2009, this sculpture was artist Andrew Whitehead's first commissioned…