The River Country Art Trail will receive a boost of over $1,747,431 from Round Two of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund.

NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Arts, Regional Youth, and Tourism, Ben Franklin was onsite at the Barham water tower to make the announcement on Saturday, February 4.

Under the project, the River Country Art Trail aims to build an outdoor gallery on silos and water towers, creating a trail across Murray River Council towns, linking them in a unique, high impact visitor experience across the area.

Sites in the townships of Barham, Bunnaloo, Caldwell, Mathura, Moulamein, Tooleybuc and Wakool will collectively make up the River Country Art Trail.

“This River Country art project aims to revitalise these towns, breathe some excitement into the communities, bring thousands of new visitors to the region and encourage visitors to stop, explore and appreciate the River Country in regional NSW,” Mr Franklin said.

Murray River Council mayor, Chris Bilkey welcomed the funding.

“Thanks to the support of the NSW Government, we can now bring to life this exciting project,” Mr Bilkey said.

“It will offer an opportunity to connect with local communities as we create concepts for the works and inspire creativity as we add another exciting attraction across our region.

“I look forward to seeing the vibrant colours and innovative designs that will soon grace our local towns.”

The Barham water tower project was described as a turn-key project with much of the groundwork already undertaken by the local water tower working group.

“About 18 months ago, we formed a little working group under the banner of Barham Consolidated,” said Alan Mathers of the Koondrook Barham Lions Club.

The group consisted of Faye Ashwin of Barham Consolidated, Jason Wallace CEO of cluBarham, RSL members Christine Dartnell and Greg Hall, Julie Alexander of the Barham Women’s Group, Lloyd Polkinghorne and involved consultation with George Rathbone.

“There was, over a long period of time around Barham, people who thought, what can we do with the water tower?” said Alan.

“About four or five years ago, I woke up thinking of the Anzac Day parade – that’s unique to Barham.”

Through the financial support of Barham Consolidated, a specialist facilitator for the project was appointed, Andi Mether, founder of Zest Events International. Andi toured the site in May 2022 and set forth the steps the committee would have to undertake to see their vision become a reality.

After a formal selection process, a suitable artist was found in Gus Eagleton, who has worked nationwide and abroad for over ten years applying his craft. He has produced artworks with Brisbane City Council, Queensland Rail, Scentre Group, Hutchinson Builders, Mirvac, IBM, and Alder Constructions, to name a few.

Gus will be in Barham for the 2023 Anzac Day march with a videographer to document the unique cross-border annual event. 

The project’s timing will coincide with the redevelopment of the Barham Recreation Reserve. This will see appropriate amenities to cater to increased visitors, caravan parking, RV dump point, toilet facilities and a viewing platform.

Local connection for Minister

“It’s really lovely to be home,” said the minister as he addressed the Saturday crowd.

Now residing in the far north coast of NSW, Minister Franklin said Barham held a special place in his heart after attending high school in the town.

“I moved down here in the early 80s, Mum was a teacher at Barham Primary, and Dad was appointed as the high school principal.

“It was the most important formative part of my life, these years that I spent down here.

“I made some amazing friends and had some extraordinary experiences.

“This morning, to be able to get a tour of the old high school with Don Taylor, who was my Year 7 maths teacher, was really special.

“When you grow up in a regional town, it never leaves you.”

One teacher who had a profound impact on Minister Franklin was Graham Minnis, who taught science and also public speaking and debating.

“My main involvement with Ben was with public speaking,” said Mr Minnis.

“His father was better at teaching him at public speaking than I was, his father was an expert.

“He was a brilliant public speaker as a child… He won all the competitions around.

“He was a very talented kid, very good academically.”

Fellow science teacher Ian McConnell also remembers Minister Franklin as a bright student.

“I taught him for about four years, he was a very bright boy.

“The groundwork gets put in at the high school, but his father was also very proactive in coaching him in public speaking.

“His dad (Terry) was also very into the arts, he brought in the school reviews, basically productions where the whole school was involved in the production.”

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 9 February 2023.