Narrandera Water Tower Art - New South Wales

Narrandera is a town in the Riverina Region of New South Wales which sits at the junction of the Newell and Sturt Highways adjacent to the Murrumbidgee River.

The theme for the Narrandera Water Tower Art comes from the team of Apparition Media spending time chatting with the community and the inspired work of  Narrandera artist and Wiradjuri man, Owen Lyons whose artwork inspired the symbolic concepts for the mural.

The Stories behind the designs include significant icons for the Narrandera Shire Community

The Lizard

The name Narrandera is derived from Narrungdera, the name of the Wiradjuri clan that inhabited the land where the town now rests, meaning 'place of many lizards', referring to the Eastern Bearded Dragon.

The Koala

By 1950 there were no koalas in this region after succumbing to poison and the gun. They had been hunted for the fur export trade and were also likely to have been impacted by poisons and traps set for rabbits. 

In 1972 the community established a reserve on the edge of town on the Murrumbidgee River. Three females and one male were the first to arrive, with further adults introduced over the following two years. This tiny number has grown into a healthy population of many hundreds, spreading to both sides of the river. They now inhabit forests up to 100 km from Narrandera.

The Tiger Moth Airplane

During World War 1, the No. 8 Elementary Flight Training School was established on the site of the present airport at Narrandera. The Tiger Moth was the plane of choice in which 3,818 young men were trained in the elementary stages of flying.  A collection of photos and memorabilia and a flight-capable Tiger Moth is housed in Narrandera at the Bashir Park.

The Paddle Steamer

From 1858 steamers were a frequent sight on the Murrumbidgee River, a river known for its navigation challenges caused by varying levels, sandbars, fallen trees and branches known as snags. 

The 75 tonne Wagga Wagga carried wool and stores between Narrandera and Hay for 40 years before it sprung a final leak and was retired and run aground by its captain.

The Oakbank Brewery Tower

This Narrandera landmark stands 30 metres high on the north bank of the Murrumbidgee River and it signals the early prosperity of a developing town. The brewing industry has its heyday between the 1890's and mid-1920's. The factory then produced Webster's Soft Drinks which was a well known brand in the region and beyond. The tower is now part of a private residence.

The River

The Murrumbidgee River has many stories to tell of Wiradjuri survival, colonial settlement, development of farming and irrigation and the genises of a town. The river and its related waterways; Bundidgerry Creek; Lake Talbot; the Narrandera Wetlands; along with its Red Gum Forests and beaches, are much loved places for those who call Narrandera home.

The third mural  the mighty Murray Cod, is popular with anglers and found all along the Murrumbidgee in the region. Narrandera is home to NSW Fisheries where breeding programs ensure the survival of many species of native fish, including the Murray Cod.

The artwork

The artwork was completed by four artists from Apparition Media, they used 120 litres of paint and took 11 days to complete the mural.

Source: Signage at the water tower site