Pygmy Possum
In 2020, local advocate Joe Collins decided that it's time to revitalise the township of
Woomelang after years of drought and poor harvests. The idea of creating a silo art trail of its own was therefore hatched. Easily accessible by foot, the trail features eight paintings of endangered animal species on mini silos around town. Mobile field bins were donated by the locals and talented street artists were commissioned to carry out the work.
Mallee Emu-Wren
My favourite would have to be the
Pygmy Possum by Bryan Itch. Cute as they may be, these possums are food for owls, dingoes, quolls, goannas and snakes. Habitat degradation and land clearing is also a threat to them. Bryan did a fantastic job in bringing this tree-dwelling marsupial to life with the large eyes and ears.
Western Whipbird
The
Mallee Emu-Wren by Jimmy Dvate is just as impressive too. Both the male and female birds are similar except for the colour of their face and bib (sky blue for the males). Unfortunately, bushfires have destroyed much of their habitat in recent years. This painting isn't Jimmy's only work. If you've been to
Waikerie in South Australia, you would recall the amazing parrot and yabbie on that town's
silos.
Malleefowl
Also in the bird family is the
Western Whipbird. Chuck Mayfield has beautifully showcased this olive grey bird in a full body pose. It's sad though that wildfires are again the reason for their extinction.
Spotted-Tailed Quoll
Together with the
Edithburgh and
Stansbury water towers, Mike Makatron's artworks have gained fame around the country and the world. Here, in Woomelang, he painted the
Malleefowl. These ground-dwelling birds face the threat of feral cats and foxes.
Rosenberg Heath Monitor
Other silo artworks include the
Spotted-Tailed Quoll by Kaff-eine,
Rosenberg Heath Monitor by Andrew Bourke and
Lined Earless Dragon by Goodie. Bryan and Chuck also joined forces to paint the Major Mitchell Cockatoo and Southeastern Long-Eared Bat on each side of the field bin.
Lined Earless Dragon
A trail map is available from the town's general store. Or, you could just follow the signposted arrows as you walk around town. It is hoped that this silo art trail will help save Woomelang from the risk of its own extinction. Located in the middle of Victoria's
silo art trail, the township is worth a visit next time you're in the region.
Major Mitchell Cockatoo
Southeastern Long-Eared Bat
