Gunnedah Water Tower Museum Art - New South Wales

Gunnedah is a town in north-eastern New South Wales. Its water tower came into service in 1908 and served the community until the late 1950s when it was replaced by a new steel structure.

Birth of the Gunnedah Water Tower Museum

The Gunnedah & District Historical Society was formed in 1963 and its collection of artefacts was first housed in the town library. Foundation president Lionel Eratt was part of the initial construction team that thought of using the old water tower as a possible new site for their dedicated museum. It was also Lionel Eratt who hacked away at the wall of the tower with a chisel and sledgehammer to determine if the tower could withstand the new structural alterations. They discovered that the tower was in excellent condition so plans went ahead from there.

Two of the prime movers Garvice Mazitelli and Arnold Worboys were joined by Bill McMorran and Evan Palmer and the team devoted virtually all of their spare time to the project.

Community consultation was paramount during the construction period and many members of the historical society assisted with the project. The service clubs contributed funds and labour, with business houses and individual residents getting behind the project in true Gunnedah style.

After more than a decade of work by volunteers to convert Gunnedah’s original water reservoir into a historical museum, the community’s dream was finally realised on Saturday, May 3, 1980. The Gunnedah Water Tower Museum was officially opened by Dr Lionel Gilbert, Director of Historical Research at the Armidale College of Advanced Education. 

Source: Marie Hobson

History of the Gunnedah Water Tower Museum

Over the years many local volunteers have contributed to the society but it was a bequest from former Gunnedah Mayor the late Bill Clegg, that set the wheels in motion for the museum to house a fine military display.

In 2018, the family of local Vietnam War Veteran, the late Mr Phil Barwick, donated his army uniform and other memorabilia to the society for its collection. Mr Barwick was a long term casualty of the war after suffering horrendous injuries in a mortar attack on his tank. He died in 1988.

This was the impetus for the society to expand its minimal collection of Vietnam War memorabilia and to set up a database of local veterans who had served. With the Water Tower Museum located on ANZAC Hill overlooking the war memorial swimming pool and Remembrance Grove, bordered by 8th Division Memorial Avenue and ANZAC Parade, it seemed appropriate to have some sort of memorial to our Vietnam Veterans. This was how the idea for a mural on the wall of the water tower became a reality

Source: Marie Hobson

Painting of the Museum

With growing interest in the Australian Silo Art Trail, painting the museum was a way of not only honouring our veterans but also to attract visitors to their beautiful town.

The Society was successful in obtaining a Federal Government grant for drought-affected communities and then award-winning artist Jenny McCracken (Zest International Events) was engaged to paint the mural.

The society chose two iconic images from the Vietnam War for Jenny to use as her inspiration. The mural facing west features a group of soldiers from 7RAR waiting to be picked up by the iconic Huey helicopters, while the mural facing north includes soldiers paying their respects beside the Long Tan Cross. 

Jenny started work on the tower on 5 April 2019, after just 19 days this very intricate and detailed mural was complete.

The Gunnedah Water Tower Museum is very grateful to Haymes Paints for offering a discount. 

Source: Marie Hobson

The water tower is located on a steep hill of which there is a large car park at the bottom. Its only a short 500 meter walk from there to the tower.