Toolangi, Water Tank Art - Victoria

Artist: Tim Bowtell assisted by Ruby Parr, Tim Honey assisted by Luruk-In

Location: 1717 Healesville - Kinglake Road, Toolangi, Victoria

CJ Dennis Tank 1

Artists Tim Bowtell or was assisted by Ruby Parr created this amazing masterpiece. Part of the Dindi Arts Trail this tank shows the history of CJ Dennis writing his stories with a Nibbed Pen Inkwell and his dictionary.

Clarence Michael James Dennis who was a poet, was born on 7 September 1876 at Auburn, South Australia. C. J. Dennis began his education in September 1881 at Gladstone Primary School, where he edited the three issues of the Weary Weekly, he then attended St Aloysius’ College, Sevenhill, and Christian Brothers’ College, Adelaide, where he contributed to Interesting Scraps.

Dennis considered that one of his best works was The Glugs of Gosh (1917). However, the veiled political and economic satirical verse was lost on the public. A small Christmas 1917 booklet on Doreen proved popular but the prepared ‘Limpy Ben’ booklet for 1918 was not published. Digger Smith (1918) and Jim of the Hills (1919) followed. A Book for Kids, written and illustrated by Dennis, was published in 1921 and went to several editions.

Rose of Spadgers was published in 1924 as a sequel to Ginger Mick. The Singing Garden (1935) was written around Arden, the house that Dennis had built at Toolangi.

The Sooty Owel & Leadbeater's Possum Tank 2

Artists Tim Bowtell assisted by Ruby Parr painted this tank. The mural of the Sooty Owl is a reminder to look and protect habitats as the Sooty Owl has been listed as a threatened species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988. The Sooty Owl is dependent on closed forests (rainforests), tall open-forests and some open-forests; clearance and logging of those habitats has probably removed or modified a significant proportion of its former habitat. and is now watching over the town of Toolangi, in the hope that more people will take notice and protect Australia's endangered animals.

The Leadbeater’s Possum is a small, quick and elusive marsupial. They were thought be extinct until their rediscovery near Marysville in 1961. They are now one of Victoria’s state Faunal Emblems. A very small lowland population is found only in Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve, alongside our other Faunal Emblem species, the Helmeted Honeyeater. Highland populations of Leadbeater’s possums are found further east, in the tall, wet forests of Victoria’s Central Highlands.

These possums rely on tree hollows, in which small colonies of up to 12 will sleep together. Colonies have one monogamous breeding pair, that may produce up to two young each year. Leadbeater’s society is very territorial and matriarchal. The female is aggressive and will expel outsiders and younger females from the group.

The Bullock team crossing the Yea River Tank 3

Artists Tim Bowtell and Ruby Parr Painted this tank about the Bullock team crossing. Bullocks are essentially young male cows, and the term usually refers to animals that have been castrated. The terminology varies a lot, though, so while some farmers and ranchers use bullock to mean "young bull," others use it to describe a youthful.

There are many old crafts lost to the world to-day, and one fast falling into that category, in Victoria anyway, is that of the bullock-driver. Mechanization is pushing him out, though, in those parts of the country where teams are still to be found, there are dozens of stories of bullocks being called upon to release bogged tractors!

Biik Country Tank 4

Artists Tim Honey and Luruk-In mark out the contour lines of the ancient landscape. There are symbols for people seated by the Yea River and a symbol for community coming together, perfect for a place where a Hall and Community Centre are located. There are kangaroo footprints emerging near the river. Aimee's perspective as a Taungurung artist shows an understanding of how the Toolangi Castella Community House and the nearby hall are places where community comes together, gathering places where all are welcomed, and acceptance of different perspectives builds community cohesion and strength.

For More information check out the Dindi Arts Trail on Facebook.

#dindiartstrail #timbowtell #rubyparr #timhoney #aimeemccathy