By KATH GANNAWAY
THE Great Steps of Warburton mosaic project is on the rise.
The 125 mosaic panels created over the past four months by community groups and individuals were almost all in place last week, transforming the steps of Warburton’s landmark Waterwheel into a spectacular work of art.
The panels depict themes around the Yarra River and the flora and fauna that are native to the Warburton area.
Project facilitators Sioux Dollman, Sandy Peeters and Aileen Wright were inspired by international community mosaic projects such as the San Francisco 16th Avenue Tiled Steps project and the Puernto Alto Urban Mosaic project in Chile to create a new piece of Warburton history.
The women collaborated on the design and have shared their artistic and technical skills with the community to create the panels which, when attached to the rises of the 26 steps, form an overall picture from street level.
Ms Dollman said there had been great interest from locals and visitors as the project had come to life in the main street.
With more than 300 people involved in making the panels, the official launch, details of which will be announced shortly, is expected to be a huge community celebration.
The project is funded by Yarra Ranges Council and the Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Bank® branches.of Bendigo Bank.
