Last Friday 02 June the Hon Michael McCormack MP, Federal Member for Riverina visited West Wyalong for the opening of the White Tank Hotel Mural that was completed in West Wyalong over the course of the last month by Melbourne based artist, Heesco.
A number of Councilors and Council employees, Evolution Mining representatives and students from Tallimba Public School attended the opening alongside Mr McCormack.
Mr McCormack commended the outcome of the Mural, which was funded under the Federal Government's Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program, with further contributions made by Evolution Mining.
The Mural itself is a tribute to the rich gold history and the agricultural heritage of the Bland Shire and West Wyalong. It serves to be a wonderful demonstration of the culture in the Bland Shire, and it is a fantastic artistic addition to the town that will evoke admiration from travelers and locals alike.
Mr McCormack stated that the Mural "is a great example of what the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program was designed to deliver – locally driven projects to make our communities even better places to live, work and raise a family."
Following the completion of the opening, Mr McCormack was accompanied by students from Tallimba Public School, West Wyalong Public School and Ungarie Central School over to Reginald Rattey Park for the Federal Government's Planting Trees for the Queen's Jubilee program tree planting ceremony.
The program was developed by the Federal Government in 2022 to celebrate and honor the achievement of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. The Platinum Jubilee signifies 70-years of unwavering service by Queen Elizabeth II as the Monarch.
The Planting trees for the Queen's Jubilee grant involved Bland Shire Council obtaining funding to plant a number of trees across West Wyalong in recognition of the conservation efforts of Queen Elizabeth II and the impact of her 70-year reign on Australians.
The students from Tallimba Public School, West Wyalong Public School and Ungarie Central School planted the last of these trees on Friday, with the assistance of Mr McCormack.
Following the planting, Mr McCormack addressed the students, noting the significance of the occasion, and the legacy that their contributions will hold into the future.
Bland Shire Council would like to thank those that contributed to the development and the completion of the White Tank Hotel Mural. Of particular note, Bland Shire Council thanks Evolution Mining and the Federal Government for their financial contributions, the owners of the White Tank Hotel Sarah Bellefleur and Steve Kyriacou for their support and use of the space and the artist, Heesco for his fantastic work.
Bland Shire Council would also like to acknowledge the contributions of the Federal Government to the Planting Trees for the Queen's Jubilee grant for the trees that were planted, and of the students that were involved in completing the project.
