THE spotlight is on Tongala, with the ‘Tongala Town Square project’ officially opening to the public recently.
The Tongala Lions Club project has transformed a vacant block of land next to the local pharmacy into an outdoor art gallery complete with murals, an information board and other art creations relating to the Goulburn River.
Tongala street artists’ Murray Ross, Jill Conway and Teena Savage have spent the past six months painting the seven murals, which depict horse riding in the High Country, Lake Eildon Dam, trout fishing in one of the tributaries, yabbying in the lower reaches of the river, camping and canoeing at Yambuna and a farmer irrigating.
The latest pieces will complement the current street art of more than 50 murals, depicting everything from the history of Australia and Tongala, native animals and sports to biblical scenes and ‘selfie angel wings’.
“We hope it becomes a bit of a town square where people can gather and enjoy some art while learning a bit about the Goulburn River,” Mr Ross said.
“It’s all about making a sustainable future for Tongala and the surrounding region. We need to get visitors and tourists here. Keeping the shops open is the biggest problem in our town.”
