The second silo at Viterra’s Lameroo site in the Murray Mallee was transformed into a work of art last month, as the 14th silo in the Viterra network to be decorated with a large-scale mural.
The artwork depicts a young woman with a baby in her arms, looking out onto a field of grain being harvested at sunset, paying tribute to the often-unsung role women play in farming communities.
The second silo’s design was created to complement the first, which illustrates a farmer looking over his unfarmed land at sunrise and acts as an homage to the proud history of the region’s agricultural community.
Both murals were designed and painted by internationally renowned muralist Sam “Smug” Bates, and were commissioned and overseen by community group Lameroo Forward, with the aim of reinvigorating the town through a sense of community pride and increased tourism.
Lameroo Forward Chairperson and Mallee grower, Nicole McMahon says painting both of Lameroo's silos has brought the town everything the group had hoped for.
“Local shops have benefited, with people constantly stopping; either on their way past or coming to Lameroo especially to see them,” Nicole says.
“There’s been a real uplift in community morale and pride too; the silos have certainly united the town. This has especially been important given the challenging farming conditions this season.”
Nicole says Lameroo Forward is thrilled with the result.
“These silos are in the heart of our town. The first silo was incredible, and now with both painted it provides our town with a really unique spectacle,” Nicole says.
“Thank you to the community for their unwavering support, and also to Viterra who enabled us to turn their busy, operational silos into these lasting legacies.”
Viterra is proud to support silo art projects whenever possible and to see the long-term positive impacts these installations have on regional communities.
Viterra congratulates Lameroo Forward on the success of both projects, which is a credit to their hard work, and thanks the Southern Mallee District Council for their contributions.
