The Tongala Hay Bale Trail is returning to town this Christmas, with a new guest artist bringing vibrant designs to the installation.
Mathoura-based artist Zowie Crump, who works in murals and photography, will have the prime position at Potts Village Green, where the event takes place.
On Friday, November 29, she was working under the beating sun, painting Christmas-themed murals of native animals.
Despite the heat, Ms Crump said she was enjoying working across the five hay bales, and the material was surprisingly good to work with.
“There’ll be animals on the front, and then on the back is Australian Christmas foods – a prawn on the front, a barbecue on the back,” among other staples, she said.
At around 10am, a cockatoo, platypus and kangaroo were taking shape, with a koala and prawn planned for the final hay bales.
More of Ms Crump’s playful art can be seen on her Facebook page, The Art of Zowie.
The Tongala Development Group said it was excited to be bringing the Hay Bale Trail back for its fourth year.
Beginning in 2020 with a local farming family creating a Bluey and Bingo installation, the bales generated so much interest they were moved into Tongala.
Due to the initial bales’ popularity, the Tongala Development Group has decided Bluey and Bingo will become a regular feature each Chirstmas.
Kristen Gordon, the original artist, will join the event’s artist group this year to bring the characters back to life.
The trail is funded by local businesses, as well the Adopt a Bale, in which residents can financially contribute to an installation and be recognised on their bale.
The Hay Bale Trail launches on Thursday, December 5, with an event at Potts Village Green, and runs until Wednesday, January 8.
The Tongala Development Group said it was looking forward to welcoming visitors over the holiday period, with people travelling from far and wide in previous years.
Maps and further information will be available on the Visit Tongala Facebook page, and on Instagram @tongala_hay_bale_trail.
For further details, email tongaladevelopmentgroup@gmail.com or phone Amber Townsend on 0438 300 225 or Kellie Brennan on 0417 590 699.