By JESSE GRAHAM
UPPER Yarra residents young and old came together earlier today for the unveiling of a new sign for Yarra Junction’s Ben’s Shed, designed and made by teenagers.
At noon on Friday 24 July, community members, Yarra Ranges Council representatives and Ben’s Shed members gathered at the shed on the Warburton Highway for the opening of the sign.
Reading “Yarra Junction’s Men’s Community Shed – Ben’s Shed Inc. (2008)”, the sign features wood-like lettering that was designed and created by students at Yarra Valley Community School, in a project organised by the council.
It all started at the school, when Yarra Valley artist Brad Colling, and the team from Yarra Ranges Youth Services, worked with the students to discuss the difference between street art and graffiti.
Mr Colling then worked with the students on printing and creating artwork, and got the project under way to make Ben’s Shed a new sign.
O’Shannassy Ward councillor Jim Child officially opened the sign and commended the students and everyone involved for their “absolutely amazing” work.
“I think what we have to be proud of as a community is everyone’s involvement – Ben’s Shed, the Community School, Upper Yarra Community House and also our council,” Cr Child said.
“I’m so pleased and proud to be involved in this occasion today and to actually see this outcome and to launch this today is just absolutely amazing, and I thank each and every one of you for being involved.”
Mr Colling said the aim of the piece was to connect young people from the Yarra Valley with the older members of the community in creating the piece.
“We thought ‘we want to do a mural, but how can we get as many benefits out of it as we can?’,” he said.
“We can just do a painting wherever, or we can link the young people with their community and this is a great outcome.”
YVCS student Takysha Gammon and her teacher Kelly Charman then spoke to the crowd at the opening about the work she and her fellow students did in the class, learning about graffiti and how to create the art piece.
Ben’s Shed president Leigh Hardy said the new sign finished off the shed’s recently completed wall, which replaced one damaged in a car crash earlier this year.
“We had a modification to our shed a few months ago, when a young gentleman decided to park his car in our office,” he said.
“The artwork is absolutely fantastic – I love it.
“How the hell did you do the wood? It makes it look like real wood!”
Yarra Ranges Council Youth Services’ graffiti safety officer Julie Hanman, who was the master of ceremonies at the event, thanked the community members before Ben’s Shed Treasurer Kate Kite handed out certificates to those involved.
Ben’s Shed is Yarra Junction’s Men’s Shed, and is open five days a week at 2427 Warburton Highway.
For more information, call 5967 1942.
