Quirindi Silo Art - New South Wales

The GrainCorp Silos at Quirindi NSW were completed in December 2022 by artist Peter Ryan, who was assisted by Keira Sloetjes and Kate Rutter.

The Story of Quirindi

Translation from Kamilaroi: Nest in the Hills.

The art on the silo tells the story of the past, present and future of the Liverpool Plains region It was inspired by fascinating Aboriginals stories about how certain animals worked with the indigenous community as helpers and protectors.

The northern side of the silo features Yurrandaali, the tree goanna, totem of the Liverpool Plains traditional lands, who is the protector of the lands.

To the right, the grey Bandaarr Kangaroo stands tall it is the knowledge holders and very wise, it would always be on the lookout and would sense any danger or troubles. It is red here to pay homage to Cumbo Gunnerah, also know as Red Cheif, a well-known Kamilaroi leader in this region. If there was trouble, the grey Bandaarr would tell the Tiluwidi Blue Bandaarr, who is the fastest kangaroo and therefore the messenger. It would hop off at great speeds to warn the other animals of the danger.

Murraay-Cockatoo and Gilaa-Galah

The Murraay will go to any tree or bush to clear the dead parts, chewing, breaking branches and pruning them back to help the tree grow. Making sure they are seen and heard by all the birds and animals to show how hard they work.

The Gilaa-Galah is the joker, trickster, the one who doesn't want to do any hard work and will try and trick the Murray into leaving after all the work has been done so they can enjoy the spoils.

They fly around the trees and bushes telling the Murraay that 'danger is coming quick fly away go and hide', the Murraay isn't stupid and never falls for their tricks, they don't believe their stories they' stand proudly on the edge of the trees screaming out to the Gilaa's to go away.

Grey-Yiluwide Blue-Bandaarr Kangaroo

The grey Bandaarr was known as the knowledge holder and very wise, it would always be on the lookout and would sense any danger or troubles. Yiluwindi Blue Bandaarr is the fastest and was the messenger.

If the grey Bandaarr sensed and saw trouble it would tell the Yiluwindi Bandaarr, go warn the other kangaroos, hide trouble is coming. The Yiluwindi Bandaarr would then hop off at great speed to get the message to all the other animals telling them trouble and danger are coming so go and hide.

Gugurrgaagaa-Kookaburra Fishing

The Fishing hunters would go down to the rivers and waterways, looking for the best spots and for the Gugurrgaagaa sitting in the trees overlooking the rivers and waterways.

When they spotted the Gugurrgaagga and it began to sing for them they knew there were fish.

They would fish until they had enough, they would never take more fish then they needed and would always give the Gugurrgaagaa a fish for helping them.