Winx – coming home strongly
WHEN jockey Hugh Bowman returned to Dunedoo this week it was a real homecoming.
The legendary hoop, who thrilled Aussie turf fans when he piloted Winx to many of her victories on the racetrack, visited his hometown to check out the progress of the giant mural being painted on the local silos featuring him and the horse that’s become a legend.
A local farmer bought the silos and a $95,000 grant is funding the mural which is expected to attract punters and horse lovers from across the nation when it’s finished.
Former Dubbo artist Peter Mortimore, who now operates a gallery in Dorrigo, scored the job to paint the mural and, except for the fact he’s terrified of heights, he couldn’t be happier.
On June 29, just into the job, he celebrated a special, and local, anniversary.
“Back where it all started! Married my beautiful Carolyn seven years ago today, in Dunedoo in her parents’ garden,” he said.
He said it was great to see
Hugh Bowman was in town last weekend and have him visit the ongoing project.
“Great to have Hugh come to look at the progress so far,” he said.
“Painting going well, very cold while up the silo though.”
He began the mural utilising spray cans because of the sheer size of the project but, having specialised in equine art for more than two decades, he said he quickly went back to using paint brushes.
To ensure he got the initial proportions correct, he sketched the design on A4 paper and spent a couple of days translating that into a scaled-up grid on the silo itself.
MEMBER for Parkes Mark Coulton is pictured with Gilgandra Weekly newspaper editor Lucie Peart in front of a new two-colour printer which was funded under the Federal Coalition Government’s Regional Grant Opportunity.
Ms Peart said the $232,920 funding has been a game-changer.
“This grant has enabled us to purchase two big-ticket items for our business that we wouldn’t have otherwise been able to afford, so we are very grateful,” Ms Peart said.
“This printer will also make us more competitive when it comes to colour commercial jobs, which we can now do more quickly and more efficiently.
“We’ve also purchased a guillotine which has been another most welcome investment.
“This ensures that our business can move forward and come out in a better place for our customers and advertisers once the COVID-19 pandemic ends,” she said.
Mr Coulton added: “Rural and regional newspapers are often one of few ways that people in country communities can get their news, so it’s important we all get behind those newspapers to provide the support they need.”