By the Banks Mural

By the Banks by Street Artist Samuel Hall.

Covering two sides of the Apex Park public toilet block the mural tells the historic story of the Mulwala area.

The Mural design incorporates Mary Jane Rose, Mulwalas Grandmother. Mary was the local nurse and midwife, often walking to towns surrounding Mulwala to deliver babies for many locals. As the local nurse, Mary cared for the sick throughout the region before a doctor settled in Yarrawonga. Over three generations of families benefited from Mary’s kindness, strength, and care.

Mulwala is the Bpangerang name for a White Bellied Sea Eagle, which can be seen in the mural, as depicted by the late Uncle Freddie Dowling, which was frequently sighted at Mulwala but is now an endangered species.

The eagle symbolizes the links to the local traditional owners of the land, connecting the strength of the community and kindness. Mary represents the local township of Mulwala today. Symbolic and flora features are carried throughout the design to encompass past and present flowers and plants used in traditional Bpangerang medicine and cuisine that can still be found throughout the region today.