Share local stories and nominate artists
Mount Alexander Shire Council has announced a new mural project in Newstead and is calling on residents to suggest a treasured local story to be painted into a permanent feature of the town.
Council is refurbishing the public toilet block on Panmure Street in Newstead, which is a visitor rest area just off the main street of the town.
The block sits in a well-used car park near the community centre and main street.
The refurbishment plans offer a wonderful opportunity for a local artist to paint a wrap-around mural on the toilet block walls, with a view to decrease graffiti and create an opportunity for local storytelling.
The mural will be in a high-visitation area and create a cultural attraction close to the main trading area of the township.
Nominate an artist
Nominate a local artist who you think has the skills to bring a local story to life!
Suggest a story
We are asking Newstead residents to suggest who could paint the mural via the Suggest a Story Post-It activity below, which will be open until the end of November.
The selected artist will explore the story in the mural design.
Please note we will be encouraging the selected artist to interpret the chosen theme or story in unexpected and original ways.
An example of a theme could be ‘The role of creativity in our town’. An example of a local story could be ‘Celebrate our Green Group who save local wildlife and set up our beloved nature trail in 2015.’
Use the Post-It note activity on this page to make your suggestions.
Artist selection process
We are asking Newstead residents to nominate an artist who could paint the mural via the 'Artist nomination form' on this page, which will be open until the end of November.
Artist information session and skills development – ‘How to paint a mural’ artist talk and general info session on the mural expression of interest process:
- Tuesday 25 November, 6.00pm to 7.30pm, Newstead Arts Hub - Register
Community conversation
The community can also have their say on the themes, stories and possible artists for the mural in the following ways:
- Community workshops at Newstead Community Centre – for residents, families, businesses and local property owners to participate in feedback activities and contribute ideas for themes, stories and artists:
- Sunday 2 November, 10.00am to 12.00pm, Mechanics Hall, Newstead - Register
Monday 10 November, 5.00pm to 7.00pm, Mechanics Hall, Newstead- CANCELLED
Suggest a local story
Newstead residents are invited to suggest a local story to be brought to life in the planned mural. (max 140 characters).
5 November, 2025
Community Lunch says:
A Newstead Community Lunch attendee told us they'd like to celebrate the story of the Loddon River as a theme
5 November, 2025
Community Lunch says:
A newstead community lunch attendee told us they'd like to celebrate the story of the women in the Young Farmers Association from the 1930s
5 November, 2025
Community Lunch says:
Residents at the Newstead Community Lunch told us that they'd like to see the Butter Factory story celebrated, plus associated agriculture
5 November, 2025
Maddie says:
A resident told us about lots of yellow things in local stories: gold, cockatoos, wattle, yellow box flowers, canola fields
5 November, 2025
Maddie says:
Residents told us about a strong and resourceful creative community, including the Spinners and Weavers Group, and 7 arts organisations
5 November, 2025
Maddie says:
Community members told us about cherishing the environment including Renewable Newstead, the significance of local plants and Loddon River
27 October, 2025
jacqui says:
I would like to see something about the aboriginal story and what kind of meeting place Newstead was - and still is. something on that theme
23 October, 2025
Garry Wallin says:
I'd like to see a series of drawings featuring a lifetime of local identity Ron Archer's contributions to the NEWSTEAD community.
19 October, 2025
LuqmanLatif says:
Hi, I'd like to paint something in the form of Arabic Caligraphy with a meaning that reflects Newstead/ local Country
