Art Trail Launch on the Great Victorian Rail Trail

A large crowd turned out today (Friday 26 May) on a beautiful morning at Trawool Estate for the official launch of the Art Trail on the Great Victorian Rail Trail

Murrundindi, Mitchell and Mansfield Councils joined forces to bring the project to fruition and senior executives, councilors and staff were there to celebrate, along with community members, the artists, Friends of the Great Victorian Rail Trail, Rail Trails Australia representatives and the Global Art Project.

The $1.2 million project of seven art installations and 20 smaller works was funded through the Victorian Government’s Regional Tourism Investment Fund.  This grant covered the full costs of the artworks, installation and selection.  The seven artworks are placed in locations along the 134 km Great Victorian Rail Trail from Tallaraook to Mansfield.  Scar Trees can also be seen along the trail; more information can be found HERE

As part of the project, a series of new wayfinding and interpretive signs are to follow (not yet installed) to improve the visitor experience and share First Peoples stories to connect walkers and riders with sites along the trail.

The launch event included a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, conducted by Mick Harding, a Taungurung man who carved the Scar Trees along the trail as part of the project.  All visitors to the launch were then invited inside the Trawool Estate to hear more the Art Trail, meet the artists and watch a visual presentation.  More videos on each artist are available HERE

The official launch was then conducted by the Jaclyn Symes, Attorney General of Victoria, Member for Northern Victoria and Minister for Emergency Services.  After refreshments, visitors to the event were then invited to take a short walk to two of the art installations at Trawool to view and learn more about them.

The three Councils and the artists are to be congratulated on their collaborative Art Trail project, proudly supported by the local community and supporters of the Great Victorian Rail Trail.  The project will definitely enhance the visitor experience and cyclists, walkers and horse riders will be encouraged to stop and interact with each sculpture and learn more about the history and heritage of the region.