Creative: As a tribute to the land on which the hay bales are display, Indigenous artists Sevu and Neva with their hay bale. It is one of three on the grounds of the Tongala Primary School.
Country life: Artist Anna Fitzgerald with her children William, Isla, Millie and Hamish at Wednesday’s launch. Anna and co-artist Dael Summers painted the farmer and cows hay bales at the old Tongala Post Office site. Anna said the extent of her art experience was her one-day-a-week role as an art teacher at Kyabram P-12 College — and half of that was done remotely. Anna painted the farmer, while Dael’s responsibility was the cows. Dael’s husband, a Kyabram cabinet maker, completed the wooden pieces on the street decoration.
True blue: Mason Nunn with Chett Cox, Oliver Vick and Max Humphries on the Tongala Tractor, which was a popular attraction at the midweek launch.
Cow girls: Maya Hughes, Hanna Hughes and Tamara Brennan aboard one of the decorative cows, which formed part of the Coprice-sponsored display in Mangan St.
Kookaburra cane: One of the Findlay Rd park displays is a kookaburra, which was painted by Sarah Hill from Little Hill Illustrations.
Having fun: For 15 years Robbie Graham has played a key role in decorating the streets of Tongala at Christmas time. For the past two years that role has included painting a hay bale, on this occasion the snowman. She admits to only really having drawn during her high school years, but thoroughly enjoys her part in the town’s major Christmas attraction. She said she was handing the Christmas decorations role over to Tongala Development Group vice-president Amber Townsend in 2022.
Multi-talented: Ali Farrell plays a big part in the Campaspe shire art scene, through her two businesses — Customs House and Portfolio. She is reponsible for the Cheeky Elf, who greets people coming into town from the Echuca end. Last year she painted the pudding chef, explaining she is technically an English and biology teacher who moved in another direction some time ago. Her Customs House gallery shows art for 65 community artists, while Portfolio offers a workshop-based experience for party-goers and groups looking to learn painting skills.
Family affair: Coprice site manager David Brown (right) with his wife, Catherine, and their four children, Henry, Ryan, Arthur and Isla. Coprice is the major sponsor of the Tongala Hay Bale Trail.
Little Saints: Both Tongala primary schools, St Patricks and Tongala, have painted hay bales for the annual 21-bale trail.
Street art: Renowned Tongala artist Murray Ross and Ken Chapman pose with their contribution to the town’s hay display.
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