Secrecy shrouds the identity of the third native Australian animal that will feature as the centrepiece of Rochester’s third silo artwork, complementing the sugar glider and kingfisher silos.
Jimmy Dvate, one of Australia's most well known mural artists, will again be commissioned to complete the artwork on the GrainCorp silos at Rochester. Work on the silo painting is expected to start in mid-November.
Where possible the artist will feature endemically threatened species of the region, but the subject of the third silo painting has not yet been revealed.
On the tall silo is a wrist-winged squirrel glider, which can be found from Bordertown near the South Australian-Victorian border through south-eastern Australia to northern Queensland.
This species was once thought to be extinct in South Australia since 1939 until a genetic test confirmed their continued inhabitance in the area.
On the shorter silo is the azure kingfisher, its royal blue plumage contrasting with its orange feathers, making it one of the smallest and most dazzling kingfishers in Australia.
It inhabits the vegetation beside waterways and other wetlands and is pictured perched on a branch alongside the Campaspe River.
The GrainCorp silos at Rochester were painted in July 2018 and were the 22nd silos to be included in the Australian Silo Art Trail.
Dvate, the tag by which the artist is known, specialises in large scale public murals. He has been painting on the streets of Melbourne since 1997 and his work can be found all over Australia and the world.
He was formally trained in graphic design and visual arts at Monash University.
Dvate, his wife, Carmen, and their two-year-old daughter, Luna-Mae, will be in Rochester for the start of the mural.
The family will spend a week in Rochester before Dvate is left to complete the work, which is expected to take three weeks.
“We spent a lot of time up here in Rochester the first time around, so a lot of people know us.
“They can pop past the site the first week when Carmen and Luna-Mae are here with me,” Dvate said.
“You spend that much time in the community, in constant contact with people, and they will eventually get to know you.
“We are sharing the common bond of the project with the community, it’s definitely more than a business relationship.
“Rochester is like a second home for us. Whenever we are in the area we stop in and say hello.
“The silo painting is so much more rewarding than painting a wall somewhere in the city.”
This is the artist’s sixth silo. There are a handful of silo artists who are responsible for most of the 22 locations.
Rochester’s Kate Taylor said watching the artist work was something the district’s population should pencil into their diaries
“It is a must to see Dvate in action” she said.
“Watching silos get painted is something to be seen.”
“Spending the time to see him in action, as well as visit the local cafés and retail shops, the Rochester Sports Museum and the murals throughout town is a wonderful experience.”
Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum has welcomed the new addition to the silo art trail.
“The existing silo art in Rochester is just stunning, so I’m absolutely thrilled a third silo will feature art from Jimmy Dvate,” Mr Drum said.
“Silo art has proven to be a winner in drawing visitors to regional destinations, including many in the Goulburn Valley, and as we emerge from COVID lockdowns, this project will be a much-needed boost for local businesses.
“Congratulations to everyone involved in making this project a reality – I can’t wait to get over to see the finished product for myself!”
GrainCorp is a major supporter of this artistic initiative, with the project also receiving funding from the Australian Government, and from Rochester-based fundraising efforts.
“GrainCorp is proud to work with communities to grow the Australian Silo Art Trail, and the mural at Rochester brings a lot of joy to locals and tourists alike,” manager of corporate affairs Jess Simons said.
“We can't wait to see the new addition to the silos and encourage everyone to hit the road when possible, to get out and support our rural communities over summer.”