General News
21 January, 2021
Vandals won’t stop determined artists
TERANG has become home to one of 20 art installations throughout the region as part of the Aussie Hay Bale Trail, but it has not been without some community resilience after the installation was vandalised a number of times.
TERANG has become home to one of 20 art installations throughout the region as part of the Aussie Hay Bale Trail, but it has not been without some community resilience after the installation was vandalised a number of times.
Located on High Street opposite the BP service station, the agricultural artistry was the creation of 14-member art group Arts.Com.
Arts.Com coordinator Jo Kenna said the group became involved with the program in collaboration with the Terang Progress Association and the Corangamite Shire.
She said the group quickly found inspiration in the W871 tram located at the Terang Returned and Services League (RSL) hall.
“We thought building a miniature tram would be a way of promoting the attraction at the RSL hall because it is pretty random to have a tram in a country town,” she said.
“The RSL has gone to a lot of effort to create a worthwhile exhibit of war time posters and recruiting material.”
Local harvesting contractor Matthew Cust was quick to donate the bales which would form the body of the tram and the group set about bringing the vision to life.
But the new attraction was not in pristine condition for long, with the installation vandalised just days after being completed.
“In the first incident vandals snipped the strings, so the bale fell apart,” Ms Kenna said.
“Our arts volunteers got together and we attempted to push it all back together but that was unsuccessful.
“With the amount of pressure it takes to put those bales together, a few old ladies weren’t going to make a difference.”
Ms Kenna said vandals again targeted the already worse-for-wear display over the following days.
“In the second incident, the bale was tipped off the pallet,” she said.
The group was determined to repair the damage caused by vandals, and the installation underwent refurbishment just as the W871 tram itself had.
Mr Cust offered to replace the damaged bales and the Art.Com group set about the task of repainting.
Ms Kenna thanked the Corangamite Shire for the opportunity to be involved.
“Thanks to the shire for coming up with an initiative that involves all the towns in the shire and is an interesting day trip for people who want to go hay bale spotting,” she said.
“And our thanks to the Terang Progress Association for its involvement and purchase of the paints, and Matthew Cust for his generous donation of the bales.
“The feedback has been very positive with people saying the tramhas turned out very well.”
Ms Kenna said she hopes instances of vandalism stop so the town can enjoy the creation.
“People have been really encouraging and happy that we’ve forged ahead and gone in to damage control and not been defeated by it.”
Mayor Ruth Gstrein said the Hay Bale Trail was a fun way to celebrate everything Australian and kick off 2021 with a welcome dose of hay bale art fun and colour.
“We’re inviting everyone to take a road trip and check out the artworks,” she said
“This is a fun way to get out and about and rediscover some of the great places to visit in our own backyard.
“The kids – big and small – will love it.”
Cr Gstrein encouraged locals to make a day of it and have lunch, or coffee and cake, and check out the shops in a town they may not have visited for a while.
“This is a great excuse to reclaim after months of staying close to home,” Cr Gstrein said.
The best exhibit will be announced at the Corangamite Shire Australia Day event at Port Campbell and streamed live on Council’s Facebook page.
The winning creator/s will receive a $500 shopping voucher.
A map showing where each installation is located can be found at facebook.com/CorangamiteShire or corangamite.vic.gov.au/Aussie-Hay-Bale-Trail.
