Six key signs along the Heidelberg School Artist Trail in Eltham have been restored, bringing back to life the historic works of one of Eltham's most well-known painters.
Walk in the footsteps of artist Walter Withers (1854-1914) and immerse yourself in Nillumbik's rich artistic history along the Diamond Creek Trail between Wingrove Park and the activity centre in Main Road.
The signs place viewers at or near the locations where six of Withers' famous paintings were created. They show a reproduction of the painting itself along with information about the work, and visitors can compare Eltham today with that of the turn of the 19th century.
Nillumbik Mayor Ben Ramcharan said the signs were among more than 50 across northeast Melbourne that were installed in the late 1990s in Nillumbik, Banyule, Manningham and the Yarra Ranges.
"Over time, some of the signs have deteriorated, and funding through the Victorian Government's Suburban Revitalisation program has allowed for the replacement of six of the signs in Eltham," Cr Ramcharan said.
Wingrove Ward Councillor and Council's Arts and Advisory Committee Chair Geoff Paine said Nillumbik had a long arts history.
"We are lucky to have had such an incredible group of artists live and work in Nillumbik. They too were drawn to the incredible beauty and landscape of the Green Wedge Shire and shared this with the world in their iconic paintings," he said.
"To be able to walk in their footsteps and see where these famous works were created is fantastic. We appreciate the funding support to revitalise these popular signs, bringing art out of the galleries to the people."
The Heidelberg School was a late 19th century group of painters, often described as Australian Impressionists, who painted outdoors.
Walter Withers, who was born in England in 1854, was a member of the Heidelberg School and first came to Australia in 1888. He lived in Kew, Eaglemont and East Ivanhoe, before moving to Eltham in 1903 where he painted works featuring the local area until his death in 1914.
Paintings featured along the trail in Eltham are Country Road, c1898, Spring, c1910, On The Eltham Road, 1906, The Drover, 1912, Landscape with Sheep, and The Silent Gums, 1909.
Further signs in Diamond Creek feature the works of artists May Vale and Jane Price, while signs in Research and Warrandyte feature the work of Clara Southern.
The project has been undertaken in consultation with the Wurrundjeri Woi-Wurrung Corporation, Eltham District Historical Society and community stakeholders.
One of the new signs along the Heidelberg School Artist Trail in Alistair Knox Park, Eltham, depicting Country Road by artist Walter Withers.
