Town’s sign of welcome

A NEW sign welcoming residents and visitors to Warburton will be in place by the end of the year.
Made of reclaimed timber slabs and featuring carvings by local artists, the sign will replace the existing sign, next to the Yarra River about 200 metres before the entrance to the town.
The sign, made of two timber slabs, will have new lighting and improved landscaping.
The existing sign was erected more than15 years ago and has deteriorated significantly in the past 12 months.
The Warburton Community Bank has set aside $8,000 for the sign which is expected to be in place by the end of next month.
The Warburton Advancement League has been working on its design and installation with the Warburton Chamber of Commerce, the Warburton Community Bank, and Upper Yarra and Warburton Tourism.
League vicepresident and treasurer David Allen said VicRoads and the Shire of Yarra Ranges had issued necessary permits and all parties were happy with design.
“The sign will have two large timber slabs one on top of the other, and will reflect the town and its surroundings,” he said.
“The top slab will feature carvings of native animals indigenous to the area and the bottom slab will say ‘Welcome to Warburton’.”
Mr Allen said the old sign, made of mountain ash, was rotten and had fallen apart last October.
“The old sign has outlived its usefulness and the new one will give the town a fresh and welcoming face,” he said.
Warburton Community Bank chairman, Bob Murray, said the bank was a proud supporter of the project.
“The old town sign has been virtually nonexistent for the past 12 months and it is important to get something new in place,” he said.
“With so many visitors coming to Warburton to enjoy the town’s attractions it is important to welcome them accordingly and create the right impression.”