Waaia Silo Art - Victoria

Artist: Tim Bowtell

Location: 1720 Waaia-Bearii Road, Waaia Victoria

Photo by: North East Vic Trails

Waaia Silo Art – Painted by Tim Bowtell, Completed October 2025

Nestled in the small farming community of Waaia, Victoria, this striking new mural by renowned artist Tim Bowtell captures the heart and heritage of the region. Completed in October 2025, the artwork pays tribute to the town’s strong dairying roots, its people, and its proud agricultural past.

The main scene depicts a classic dairy moment, with Friesian cows making their way to milking in the cool of the early morning. Look closely and you’ll notice the delicate steam rising from their breath, a lifelike detail that evokes the crisp dawn air. The setting features an old-style “walk-through” or “swing” dairy, a nostalgic nod to the way things once were on local farms.

Above, three crows take flight — a symbolic connection to Waaia’s name, which means “crow” in the local Indigenous language. Their presence ties the mural to Country and honours the origins of the town’s name.

Another powerful figure in the artwork is Bill Martin, remembered for his extraordinary strength and determination. Bill was famously known for carrying two sacks of wheat at once — a feat that has long been part of local legend. Behind him, a stack of wheat bags stands tall, representing the hard work and resilience of Waaia’s farming families.

A water wheel featured in the mural celebrates the community’s long battle for irrigation, a vital lifeline that transformed the district’s productivity and secured its farming future.

Completing the scene is a diesel passenger train known as “The Beetle.” Built by AEC, these distinctive trains were introduced in the mid-1920s and ran until the mid-1950s. Nineteen of them once traversed routes across Victoria, each with its own journey and story — much like the communities they served.

Together, these elements blend to tell a powerful story of heritage, perseverance, and local pride, beautifully expressed through Bowtell’s detailed artistry.



🚩 Please Note: These are working silos — visitors are asked to keep a safe distance from all heavy vehicles and equipment. Fencing will soon be installed to improve safety, but in the meantime, please respect the site and exercise caution when visiting.