Kokardine Water Tank Art - Western Australia

The focal point of the mural rests upon a gentleman whose life became intricately interwoven with the tank's environs over the course of his extensive career. Yet, the events that ushered him to this very location were anything but foreseeable.

Giovanni Averzu, an Italian Prisoner of War during the tumult of World War II, found himself ensnared in the conflict in Libya, subsequently traversing seas to Australia alongside a staggering assembly of 18,000 compatriots. Tasked frequently, Giovanni undertook the chore of ferrying water from this reservoir, ingeniously replenished by the gravitational embrace of the Flat Rock catchment area. This aqueous bounty served a gamut of purposes, foremost among them being sustenance for the livestock.

In the wake of the war's cessation, the shackles of captivity were lifted, affording Giovanni the liberty to return to his homeland, where he embraced matrimonial bliss and fatherhood. Yet, the 1950s witnessed his return to the Cadoux expanse, his family in tow, opting to rekindle his labor under Lewis Martin's employ, this time as an emancipated individual.

With Lewis Martin's retirement, Giovanni seamlessly transitioned his dedication to neighboring farmer Lance Clarke and subsequently to Lance's cousin, Kevan. Notably, the pivotal task of hauling water from the tank persisted as a hallmark of his services, as the tank remained untouched by the Water Corp system's grasp.

The mural, a vivid testament to Giovanni's profound affinity for this specific terrain, emerges as a mere precursor to an impending array of artistic narratives set to grace the tank's exterior. Concurrently, the parking enclave adjoining the tank is poised for transformation, poised to serve as the inaugural point of embarkation for a sprawling walk trail that meanders through the vast Flat Rocks catchment area.

The brainchild of Rod Clarke, the mural's inception and realization were punctuated by meticulous research and orchestrated through collaborative efforts with the Kalajzic family.

The artistic rendition capturing Giovanni's visage, coupled with his portrayal at the helm of a tractor, took form under the skilled hand of interpretation, guided by the visual trove generously furnished by his son, Egidio.