The group was commended for its volunteer commitment and dedication to this project that has injected new life into the township of Devenish and greatly benefited the town socially and economically, according to the council.
The small group floated the idea of having the silos painted in September 2017 at a public meeting and, with the response an overwhelming ‘yes’, the small committee formed and got to work raising the money to complete the towering artwork.
After engaging Melbourne artist Cam Scale to paint the mural, the first coat of paint went on the silo in April last year, with the work taking about 10 days to complete.
Depicting a World War I nurse and a modern-day combat medic surrounded by a field of poppies, the artwork was unveiled on Anzac Day to commemorate 100 years since the end of the war, in front of a crowd of 350 people.
Mr Scale will begin painting a lighthorseman on the town’s metal silo on Friday, April 5, with a community day planned to officially unveil the artwork on Sunday, April 14.
Devenish Silo Art Committee member Kevin Mitchell said the award was a ‘‘nice little bit of recognition’’ and it was great to see the support for the silo had continued.
‘‘There’s still at least 200 people every day,’’ he said.
‘‘A lot of locals bring their visitors from Melbourne or wherever else and they’ll go to Devenish and Goorambat to see the silos, which is wonderful.’’