General News
16 October, 2026
Mural brings back memories
The weather on Sunday, October 11, was perfect for those who gathered to hear the story of the Marvellous Mallee Mural painted on the wall of Kaye’s Kollection.
The mural draws many visitors and folk from Mildura, Kenmare, Rosebery and Hopetoun to hear from from one of the two artists who created it 35 years ago.
Shirley Decker delighted the audience with her archival material, funny stories and the
process of creating the mural, which gives an overview of Hopetoun's history with the First people, Indigenous man Jowley, adopted by the McGinness family of Corrong Station, and the development of what became the town of Hopetoun today.
The mural features key figures, birdlife, native and introduced animal species, the development of farming implements, Mallee sunsets, and so much more.
Hidden spiders, other reptiles, and stories from the past all feature in this unique mural.
Those who attended enjoyed and appreciated Shirley sharing the mural's story, which grew from 6 months of research and was shaped by local knowledge and history as it went along.
Hopetoun is fortunate to have not only this legacy but the entertaining and special memories provided by Mrs Decker, who continues to inspire those around.
The Hopetoun congregation of the Southern Mallee Cooperative Parish, supported by the Hopetoun and District Historical Society, is planning a second event at Lake Lascelles in February 2027 to share the story of the Indigenous paintings displayed, created over 20 years ago.