Queensland town of Monto using silo art to draw tourists and tell stories about its heritage - ABC News

The town of Monto, in Queensland's North Burnett, has developed a new passion for public art on a staggering scale that has quite literally put it back on the map.

Key points:

The 'Three Moons' silos along the Burnett Highway depict several stories of yesteryear: from gold mining, to mustering and the Dreamtime.

The installation is now the most northern point on the popular silo art map.

Artists Joel Fergie and Travis Vinson, who go by the names of "Zookeeper" and "Drapl', said one story was about the Gooreng Gooreng people and how they returned to muster cattle.

"We actually went out and met with an elder from the region, and he told us some really interesting stories," said Zookeeper.

The silo artwork features a Gooreng Gooreng elder and his granddaughter.(ABC News: Johanna Marie)

"He grew up on a cattle farm and, just like the Three Moon story, was asked to come and move cattle every three months,"

"We tried to depict some of his Dreamtime stories so up in the Milky Way we've got an emu hidden in the night sky.

"He's telling the story of the three moons to his granddaughter sitting beside him."

Joel Fergie "Zookeeper" and Travis Vinson "Drapl" spent six weeks painting Monto's murals.(Supplied: Joel Fergie)

Putting Monto on the map

Monto was once known for its strong dairy industry, but deregulation in the 1990s saw the number of dairy farms plummet from more than 400 down to just three left.

Project coordinator Mary Sharp from Monto Magic said while agriculture remains at the heart of the town, the community needed to do something bold to keep it on the map.

"It has brought a renewed sense of vibrancy. There's a sense of achievement, there is pride, and people are enjoying what's happening," she said.

Locals have already noticed tourists arriving in Monto to see the town's new murals.(ABC News: Ross Kay)

A series of special murals

Monto's water tower was among the first murals to be painted in the town, and many of the other artworks have featured local residents.

"When we come up with a design … we usually single out a few people that we've warmed too in the town, and we paint them," said artist Drapl.

"We just love to capture the town and every essence as you can see."

Cheryl Latimore said she was surprised to find out she was the subject of a secret mural.(ABC News: Ross Kay)

Cheryl Latimore, who won first prize at the Monto show for her knitted doll, was featured in a surprise mural.

"I was talking to Travis and Joel, and they were quite interested in my golf, and my knitting and this is where it started," said Mrs Latimore.

"The surprise was absolutely phenomenal. I never guessed that they would do this."

There are plans for more artworks to represent the history of the area and continue the momentum that the silos have now started.

Monto's water tower artwork features local children playing in water.(ABC News: Ross Kay)

"We have more murals coming for empty shop fronts, so you're not looking into an empty building, but you're being enthused to look at yesteryear shops," Mrs Sharp said.

She said the community hoped the artworks brought in more tourists and provided a much-needed boost to the economy for years to come.

"It's about retaining businesses and assuring future jobs for our children and grandchildren."

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2020-07-14 21:30:00Z
CBMiVWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTA3LTE1L21vbnRvLXNpbG8tYXJ0LW1vc3Qtbm9ydGhlcm4tb24tdHJhaWwvMTI0NTE2MTLSASdodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTI0NTE2MTI