Photo courtesy of GrainCorp.
Devenish is a small town of around 300 people in the Benalla council region, approximately 230 kilometers north of Melbourne and 50 kilometers east of Shepparton.
Melbourne-based artist Cam Scale started work on April 11, with the artwork expected to take around three weeks. Without revealing the final concept, Scale hinted it will have an important tie to the local community’s history.
“Devenish has a strong connection to the First World War, so on the centenary of the end of the war we wanted to acknowledge the courage of this community and all service people,” Scale said. “I’m excited to be spending time in Devenish over the coming weeks and getting to know the people who make this area so special. It’s a beautiful part of the state and I hope the artwork provides another reason for people to visit and explore.”
Peter Johnson, GrainCorp’s Victoria regional manager, said, “GrainCorp was part of the very first silo art project in 2015, which has now grown into a national phenomenon and we are proud to continue our support. This is the seventh silo art project we have supported, with five in Victoria and one in Queensland. We have seen the enormous benefit this visually inspiring and important community initiative brings to the town and broader region.”
The idea was the initiative of the Devenish community, led by local farmer Kevin Mitchell.
“We are delighted that this project is coming to fruition,” Mitchell said. “The local community has supported this idea with their time and donations and we look forward to it giving a real lift to the area.”
Mayor Cr Don Firth said the council is very happy to support this project because of the tourism and community benefits it will bring.
“Being part of the Silo Art Trail is significant for Devenish and the whole of Benalla Rural City,” Cr Firth said. “We thank the Devenish community, GrainCorp and of course, Cam Scale for helping bring this project together.”
