A new mob in Kaniva
Acommunity arts project in Kaniva is set to link the town’s tourist attractions.
In the past two weeks Kaniva and District Progress Association’s Sheep Art project has resulted in a new mob being painted, mustered and yarded, and are now ready to go on display.
Progress association secretary Helen Hobbs said the project aimed to link planned silo art and the newly upgraded wetlands park with the main street.
She said 28 applications were received for the 18 new sheep, with some existing sheep also given a makeover.
“The interest in painting the sheep has been incredible,” she said.
“We’ve had about 15 people turn up to each workshop. All of the sheep have been painted by Kaniva people aged eight to 80; there’s been a job for everyone.
“It has been entirely a volunteer effort and some of the stories that have emerged as they have been painted have been very touching.”
Mrs Hobbs said the group celebrated with a ‘cut out’ and all volunteers and community groups were presented with ‘thank ewe’ certificates by the Kaniva and District Progress Association.
The association set aside $9000 to fund the project after being unsuccessful with a grant application.
“Ironically, when we did the project eight years ago we were unsuccessful in grant applications, but it has made our project unique in that the whole project has been created and funded by the community,” Mrs Hobbs said.
The project started back in 2011 when Kaniva artist Sharon Merrett had an idea for a community arts project to celebrate the town’s sheep history, with a flock of painted sheep.
Community groups painted about 20 sheep and they were then placed along Kaniva’s Commercial Street as a way to attract visitors to the town.
The project now includes 50 sheep, plus two dogs and three lambs.
West Wimmera Shire Council is an enthusiastic supporter of the project, which will create a tourist trail in Kaniva, linking planned silo art in Progress Street to the upgraded Kaniva Tourism and Cultural Precinct on the Western Highway.
Councillor Jodie Pretlove said Sheep Art was a fantastic project, which aimed to brighten the town and encourage visitors to stop in the region.
“The sheep are wonderful for Kaniva and it is great to see the project continuing to flourish with 18 new sheep,” she said.
Earlier this year, West Wimmera Shire Council upgraded Kaniva
Tourism and Cultural Precinct, which included a new playground.
“The new Sheep Art will be a great addition to the upgraded park and will further encourage travellers to stay in town and explore everything the town has to offer,” Cr Pretlove said.
“Visitors also like to take photos of our sheep and share them on social media, which further promotes Kaniva and West Wimmera Shire as a whole.
“The Sheep Art is also a fantastic promotional tool that uses QR codes on the ear tags, which link visitors to a story or a webpage.”