Murrumbateman Lions Club is asking for community donations for its current project, a major artwork on the large concrete water tank within the Murrumbateman Bush Cemetery precinct. Lion and ‘Water Tank Artwork’ project officer Catherine McCutcheon said the Murrumbateman Lions will be at the Murrumbateman Markets engaging with the community and will have a poster including information about the project and options to donate.
“We’ve got approval from everybody now, and we’re about to put it out to the community for donations, from local businesses and things like that,” said Catherine.
The total cost of the project will be $50,000. The Murrumbateman Lions Club has already committed $10,000 to the project, having received a $10,000 grant from the Australian Lions Foundation, and has applied for several State and Federal grants. In addition, contributions from community members and local businesses will help the Murrumbateman Lions Club significantly in their endeavour to beautify Murrumbateman with art of high-quality and local relevance.
Magnificent Murrumbateman Water Tank Art-Credit: Jimmi Buscombe
The proposed artwork will be undertaken by Australian regional artist Jimmi Buscombe and showcases local endangered flora and fauna. It features the Gang Gang Cockatoo and the Golden Sun Moth in a Box Gum Grassy Woodlands setting.
The Murrumbateman Lions envisage this design will provide an opportunity for facilitating increased community knowledge on endangered flora and fauna in the local area and create a visual educational tool to complement events such as history and conservation talks.
Artist Jimmi Buscombe specialises in photo-realistic wildlife, public, mural, and street art. He has been commissioned by community groups, councils, private clients, and organisations, both locally and internationally, to create street art and public art of native flora and fauna.
Murrumbateman Lions Club has undertaken this project in collaboration with the Yass Valley Council, Murrumbateman Landcare, Murrumbateman Progress Association, and Southern Tablelands Arts, all of whom have provided formal support.
The artwork is just one aspect of the Murrumbateman Lions Club’s ongoing Beautification of the Cemetery foundation project. From its commencement in 1991, the project has seen the creation of a bush garden and memorial walkway, the building of a columbarium and wooden perimeter fence, and the installation of seating.
For their new Water Tank Artwork project, Murrumbateman Lions drew inspiration from the extensive ‘Silo Art’ trend that has seen the installation of artwork on silos and water tanks in many country towns and villages across Australia. The Lions Club envisage the artwork will not only add to the Beautification of the area but also provide a new opportunity for tourism in Murrumbateman due to the location in an accessible multi-use public area with walking and cycling pathways linked to the existing winery trail.
To learn more or donate, contact the Murrumbateman Lions Club via email at murrumbateman.nsw@lions.org.au or call 0401 900 704. The Murrumbateman Lions Club Water Tank Art Work Go-Fund-Me page is also available online for quick and convenient donations to the project.
Southerly Jones
