More than 55 years ago, despite being 6,000 kilometres apart, Birchip residents Frank Hunt and Ray Naughton made history on the very same day. Now, their legacies are forever captured in a mural by artist Matt Hannah.

The mural, painted on the Commonwealth Bank wall, was unveiled at the Mali Heart Street Art festival on Saturday.

The connection between Frank Hunt and Ray Naughton is immortalised in Redgum’s 1983 song “I Was Only 19”, which includes the line “Frankie kicked a mine the day that mankind kicked the moon.” This lyric encapsulates both of their stories – one of sacrifice, the other of innovation.

Frank Hunt

Frank Hunt OAM enlisted in the Army at just 17 after leaving Birchip, serving in Vietnam. At 19, he was severely injured in an explosives attack, losing his leg in the blast.

Despite his injuries, Hunt demonstrated extraordinary resilience, using mud to slow the bleeding and his shirt as a bandage. His bravery – both in battle and in enduring his injuries until medical help arrived – remain an inspiration to many.

Ray Naughton

Ray Naughton was a radio and antenna expert who lived, worked and raised his family in Birchip. Ray would communicate with the astronauts who undertook the Apollo 11 mission and he would often be the only person on earth who would receive communications from the mission.

Naughton created a 250-metre wide and 30-metre-high antenna from his home office, capable of bouncing off the moon. NASA scientists were impressed with his knowledge and sent Ray on an all-expenses-paid trip to America to share his experience.

“The contrast between these two significant events demonstrates the depth of human resilience, ingenuity and determination – both of which these two Birchip men had in spades,” Emily Noonan, Mali Heart Street Art committee member, said at the unveiling.

Members of both the Hunt and Naughton families were in attendance for the official unveiling, delighted to see their loved ones honoured in such a meaningful way.

Colouring competition

The Mali Heart Committee also organised a colouring competition for the Birchip P-12 School Primary students, who coloured in local attractions including the Mallee Bull statue, Birchip Hotel and murals.

Winners included: Prep, Billy McLoughlan; Grade 1/2, Layla Wheeler; Grade 3/4, Nate Kilroy; Grade 5/6, Addison Hamilton.

Contributions

Emily Noonan thanked the generous financial contributions of Cargill Cares and the Buloke Shire Council towards the mural, as well as the Birchip Hotel and Noonan Builders who provided support to enable the painting of the mural.

Birchip High School students, Bambi Navarro and Annabelle Bennett entertained the crowd on vocals and the guitar, playing a number of ’60s songs including “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “Puff the Magic Dragon”.

While a few final details will be added to the mural in the coming week, the Birchip community and its visitors will forever be reminded of the incredible achievements of Frank Hunt and Ray Naughton – two local legends whose contributions to history will now never be forgotten.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 14 March 2025.