The Avon River Bridge project in Stratford was a great opportunity to showcase local artwork as a mural on the new bridge.
Apex Park is next to the new bridge and was upgraded as part of the project. The local community voted on what new features they wanted included in the park. One of the requested features was the mural.
Ray Thomas
Ray is an award-winning Gippsland artist with more than 3 decades of experience. His works are inspired by the stories and designs of his Gunaikurnai people, as well as the Gippsland country they call home.
Mural themes
The theme for Ray’s design was the Avon River, which was voted on at the Apex Park community day in February 2020.
The mural honors the Brayakaulung clan and their connection to the Avon River. It features Gunaikurnai ancestral totems and cultural practices including scarred canoe trees, stone grinding grooves and bush foods.
It also celebrates the coming together of the local First Nations people and the European settlers to enjoy the Avon River, the lifeblood of the town.
Learn more about the Gippsland Line Upgrade.