Community
4 December, 2024
Drovers Camp murals turning heads in Camooweal
The murals have already proven popular with travellers heading east and west along the highway.
A new mural at Camooweal is already turning heads along the Barkly Highway – and even from the skies.
Drovers Camp committee member Kim Gentle said the recently completed brightly lit building fronts, which tell the story of a typical day droving in the North West, saw a light aircraft fly past Camooweal before briefly doing an abrupt 180 about-face to return to the decorated shed to circle the artwork.
“He was stopping to admire the artwork,” Kim told North West Weekly at the Drovers Camp.
“So that is when we knew it was already making an impact.”
Following a mammoth fortnight-long art session from talented artist “Deadly” Arthur Conlon, including painting and decorating in 40-plus temperatures and humidity to match, the mural was unveiled to the public at a small ceremony following the Camooweal Medical Clinic opening last week.
It is hoped the artwork will become a tourist landmark for those journeying between Mount Isa and the Northern Territory as well as an ongoing tribute and lasting reminder of the central importance the droving industry played in the story of our region.
The four walls of the mural depict multiple scenes, from early sunrise to a star filled camp night, based on the stories of those men and women who carried out the thankless task of moving large mobs of cattle to market and between stations.
The artwork, which sees darkened silhouettes over bright painted landscapes, is sure to become a signpost that travellers have reached Camooweal, as it can be easily seen on the horizon for quite a distance prior to finding the town.
Ms Gentle the creation of the artwork required much late night stenciling using an old school room projector, which tipped over and broke on one of the final nights, requiring a bit of bush ingenuity to replace the light bulb with handheld flashlights.
She said the mural was given life thanks to a $160,000 Building Bush Tourism grant followed by months of generous time and energy donations from the local community.
“I have had the opportunity to be involved and watch this mural come to life over the 14 days – this opportunity has been incredible and inspiring,” she said.
“From the priming of the shed, working with the crew from Fast Scaff, to assisting with the background colours, silhouettes and the last little details like the birds in the Georgina River Scene.”
“The mural certainly brightens up the community of Camooweal and will be a tourist drawcard – putting Camooweal back on the tourist map as a must stop destination whilst keeping the droving heritage of the North West alive.”