Spray of hope

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
A COMMUNITY group that formed to combat graffiti overtaking Woori Yallock celebrated a major milestone last week with the dedication of its town mural within a new reserve.
Woori Yallock Township Action Group (WYTAG) formed 18 months ago when a group of enthusiastic residents joined together to beautify the town.
They were sick and tired of the disgusting graffiti scrawled around town, and vowed to do something about it.
The completion of their first project was officially recognised on Friday 17 February, with a community party to celebrate the new, clean and useable WYTAG Reserve.
The area of land on the intersection of Healesville Kooweerup Road and Erich Place, beside the shops and opposite the primary school, had a derelict fence, dead tree stumps and a general collection of rubbish several months ago.
But over several weekends WYTAG’s members and volunteers from Hillcrest CFA borrowed the Yarra Ranges Council graffiti trailer and scrubbed the unsightly wall clean, while others removed the fence and overgrown ivy.
The services of local artist Jordy Bridge – who painted the Millgrove mural – were engaged, and while the mural was painted there was further work to clean up the reserve, claim ownership and turn it into a useable space.
WYTAG president Val Shaw said they had just begun wanting to clean off the graffiti from around town.
“The wall was the worst of it,” she said.
“But this is not the end of our vision.”
Hillcrest CFA captain, and MC for the dedication, Rick Shaw said: “No-one realised what a large and useable area it would change into, from the overgrown patch behind the shop.”
Yarra Ranges Mayor Graham Warren said it was a wonderful community wall.
“The work the group has done has been inspirational,” he said.
“It really shows what can be achieved when local towns come together and do something everyone can be proud of.”
Past mayor Terry Avery couldn’t be there on the day, but congratulated the group and said the $1000 ward money he put towards the project was “money well spent”.
Woori Yallock and District Community Bank was a major sponsor, as well as local traders and William Selby and his “mulch machine”.
Yarra Ranges Council officers supported and aided the group towards their goals and were impressed with the final result. The mural is a combination of historic Woori Yallock buildings, put together from a collection of old photographs and Mr Bridge’s inspiration.
It took himself and partner Jen Christie more than 60 hours to complete the mural.
Some of the residents of Erich Place and Eileen Grove also attended the celebrations, saying the whole area was a lot nicer to look at.
They are looking forward to the introduction of a few more seats, to enjoy the views. While celebrating the finished WYTAG Reserve and mural, WYTAG volunteers already have big plans for the Harold Ockwell Reserve.
“You haven’t heard the end of us yet,” said Mrs Shaw.