Painting A New Chapter In Hinchinbrook’s History

Gilroy Santa Maria College students preparing supplies and mixing colours. Photo credit: Victoria Velton

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By Victoria Velton

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A new mural has blossomed into life in the Shire Hall Laneway giving Hinchinbrook a colourful new way to celebrate the community it is today, with local artist Kristina Fontana, owner of I Love Boutique Amber Pollock, Gilroy Santa Maria College(GSMC) Art Teacher Georgia Demetto and GSMC students joining forces on the project.

Supported by Hinchinbrook Shire Council and a Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) grant, the mural is a modern counterpart to the historic mural in Mercer Lane, reflecting the changing identity of the region.

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"Because it’s a revolving history, isn’t it?” Kristina said.  

“That is past Ingham. This is us now.”

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The mural was designed to be bright, colourful and interactive, with each section representing an aspect of Hinchinbrook life, from fishing and the Herbert River to Italian food and the region’s tropical lifestyle.

“We wanted to make it in an interactive laneway. We wanted to make it so that people are drawn down here, and take the time to take photos - but we also wanted it representative of Hinchinbrook,” Kristina said.

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Amber, whose shop, I Love Boutique, shares the mural’s wall, said the transformation had already changed the feel of the laneway.

“It’s super exciting! I just love seeing all the colours. Walking past it just makes you smile,” she said.

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The concept evolved through workshops involving the GSMS students, with their ideas incorporated into Kristina and Georgia’s design. Georgia said the aim was to create a space that showcased the creativity of local young people.

“We want them to think of Ingham as a creative, artistic space for youth,” Georgia said.

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“Seeing that youth have been involved in painting this, I think people really understand that this community has such a talented and creative bunch of kids.”

Year 11 student Kaitlyn said the mural’s motifs were chosen to represent things significant to the local community.

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“I was working on the big fish, the barramundi - everyone here loves fishing,” she said.

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“I hope they like it, but I also hope we see people taking photos at the mural and looking at the mural, because there’s a lot of hard work that goes into it,”  

Fellow Year 11 student Daniel felt ‘lucky’ to be involved with the project and contribute to his community.

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“Very lucky, like extremely lucky. Very grateful, and just happy to help around.”  

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Daniel hopes the finished mural leaves visitors with “a sense of pride to be part of the community”.

Amber hopes the laneway will eventually become a destination in its own right, an extension of the Tones and I mural that the pop star signed on a regional tour visit to the town earlier in the year.

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“I just hope it’s a space where people can come, take photos, spend time and feel excited and happy,” Amber said.

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With ideas already circulating about extending the artwork further down the laneway, the project could become another evolving piece of Hinchinbrook’s story, capturing not just where the region has come from, but where it will go.

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