Vote for Deloraine’s mosaic art in the Great Regional City Challenge

Mosaic art of the kooparoona niara trail runs along the bank of the Meander River in Deloraine.

Photo by Jade Hallam

Deloraine is a contestant in Launceston’s Great Regional City Challenge and Meander Valley residents are encouraged to vote for the project online.

Community groups have entered 50 projects for the Challenge and winners will get up to $10,000 and project support.

Deloraine’s project is supported by the Great Western Tiers Tourism Association, with representatives from the Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre, Rotary Craft Fair, Meander Valley Council and Libraries Tasmania.

If it wins, the Meander On project will link the kooparoona niara Cultural Trail along the Meander River with Emu Bay Road.

Helped by students, community artist Niecy Brown will create six small panels of cobble mosaic artwork, guided by cultural advisor Hank Horton.

The mosaics will be installed on the steps beside the library, at Seppenfelts, in the Laneway Precinct, next to the Brush Rabbit shop, near the toilet block and at the Great Western Tiers Visitor Center.

President of the tourism association, Mark Flanigan, said the project will continue to develop Deloraine’s street art.

‘We need to refresh the town’s artwork, keep it new,’ he said. ‘It plays into our creative town ethos.’

Art has played a key role in Meander Valley over the years and Deloraine has remained a dynamic and viable township, in some measure through its activity and reputation as one of Australia’s creative communities.

Meander On acknowledges and celebrates Tasmania’s original people and their culture. The project is also a small step in support of the town’s retail and hospitality sectors.

Residents who want to support Meander On can vote until 31 May at launcestontogether.com.au.