The night sky in Kaniva has a new star attraction: a colour-changing windmill, the crowning achievement of a three-year community-driven lighting project that has transformed the town’s main street. From purple to blue, red, green, and gold, the windmill now lights up with subtle hues, adding a splash of color to the town’s nighttime landscape.
This week, along with the windmill lighting installation, included the completion of the seventh tree lit with commercial quality, solar powered, fairy lights, on the windmill corner. This project, designed to brighten the town and create a welcoming atmosphere by night, aims to further establish Kaniva as the gateway into Victoria. The newly lit windmill and street trees will support local hospitality businesses and accommodation operators by drawing in more visitors and encouraging longer stays.
The inspiration for this transformation began in 2021 when Kaniva’s new logo, designed by Megan Macfarlane as part of her university project on “Branding a Small-Scale Destination,” emphasised the town’s unique strengths in Sheep Art and its position on the Silo Art Trail along with being known as ‘that town with the windmill in it’. “I’m so excited to see the branding I created being taken to the next level through the windmill lighting,” said Megan Macfarlane, whose work included an in-depth consumer and competitor analysis.
This project’s success is a testament to the power of community support. After three years of fundraising, obtaining permits, and countless hours of hard work, the lighting project has cost over $17,000.
The initial spark for the project was a $500 donation from WWSC in November 2021 for Christmas lighting, which has since grown into a major project. The second stage was spurred on in 2022 with a $2,000 donation from Michael Hodges and Tristan Rogers at H&R Rural, followed by ongoing bottle and can donations, annual support memberships, and partial funding from the WWSC Community Support Grant.
“We are so excited to see this project come to fruition, and we thank everyone for their patience,” said Kaniva and District Progress Association Chairwoman Marlene Carter. “The street now has a real ‘wow factor’ as you drive into town, and we couldn’t have done it without the support from the local community.” said secretary Helen Hobbs. “It has been wonderful to see so many people already taking photos and promoting Kaniva to their friends on social media.
Kaniva and District Progress Association wishes to thank all donors, including the West Wimmera Shire Council, Kaniva Lions Club, The Purple Starfish Community Shop, Kaniva CWA, Kaniva Bus Service, Maidment Drilling and the many residents and supporters; Richard Hicks, Terry Maddern, Victor Perton, Jill Hendy, Diane Mitchell, Letty and Jen Goodwin, Marlene, Tim, Taryn, Jason, Steve and Sharon Carter, Bruce, Wendy, Tim, Jeff, Kelly Meyer, Ruth Adamson, Ann Rabone, Nanette Jolly, Sally Hicks, Gary & Deb Hill, Nancy Alexander, Lorraine & Adrian Coad, Bruce & Wimke Dodson, Maria Ahilarus. All who backed KDPA in 2022 with the initial four trees.
Special thanks to DJ McKeown Electrical for the installation. There has been a massive amount of behind the scenes work including repairs and research and much more. Thank you Daimen McKeown and Matthew Hicks and Wallis Engineering for creating the special brackets.
We ask everyone to bear with us as we make a few tweaks in the coming weeks. We’re excited about what this means for our town and can’t wait to see the positive impact it has on our local businesses.
Well done Kaniva!
This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 28 August 2024.
