Painting The Region’s Story Lavinia Brings Hinchinbrook To Life Through Murals

Lavinia Letheby’s creative talents have transformed the Hinchinbrook Shire across several iconic locations, showcasing the symbols that define the region’s identity, history and community pride.  

An award-winning and widely celebrated artist, Lavinia relishes the opportunity to piece together a community’s story through imagery, bringing her own unique interpretations to life in each work.  

“When you create a mural, it becomes part of the town’s story. It’s incredibly special,” she explained.  

“People walk past it every day, take photos with it, and it becomes a small part of their lives. Knowing that something I’ve created might be there for decades, becoming part of the identity of a place, is really meaningful.  

“It’s also a responsibility. I want the artwork to represent the community well, and to create something locals genuinely feel proud of.”  

Lavinia’s paint brushes have touched surfaces in Taylor’s Beach, Lucinda, Cardwell, Dungeness, Halifax and Ingham’s TYTO Wetlands.  

“Hinchinbrook is such a visually rich region - from the wetlands and waterways to the mountains and native wildlife – so many of the artworks reflect those elements and were all heavily influenced by the incredible natural environment,” she said.  

“Some murals highlight local wildlife and native plants, while others celebrate the region’s culture, people, and identity. The goal is always to create something that locals feel proud of and that visitors stop to photograph.”  

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Celebrating the people, stories and identity of a place through large-scale murals has become a defining passion for Lavinia, who says she can’t remember a time when art wasn’t part of her life.  

“Art was always something I naturally gravitated toward growing up, and over time, it became something I couldn’t imagine not doing,” she explained.  

“Murals happened quite organically. Once I painted my first large wall, I realised how powerful public art can be. A painting on a canvas might be seen by a handful of people, but a mural becomes part of the everyday environment – it transforms spaces, starts conversations, and creates landmarks within a town – that scale and impact is what really drew me into mural work.”  

When Lavinia begins a new piece, she starts with thorough local research of listening to stories, connecting with residents and immersing herself in the rhythm of the community.  

“I try to understand what makes a place unique: its industries, its landscapes, its history, and the people who live there. From there, I look for strong visual elements that represent those stories in a way that’s instantly recognisable,” she said.  

“Public art needs to communicate quickly and clearly, while still being visually engaging. It’s about turning local identity into imagery.”  

Beyond the boundaries of the Hinchinbrook Shire, Lavinia has created pieces for communities across North Queensland, including several in Tully, Mission Beach, Innisfail, Mareeba, Cairns, Townsville, and the Burdekin Shire.  

“Murals that celebrate local industries and everyday people are particularly meaningful to me. Seeing communities feel proud of being represented through the artwork makes those projects incredibly rewarding,” she added.  

“Public art has such power to transform spaces, and I’m passionate about continuing to create works that communities feel proud to call their own.”

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CAPTION: One of Lavinia Letheby’s vibrant murals in the Hinchinbrook Shire celebrating the region’s landscapes, people and identity through large-scale public art. Photo supplied