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The
Pine Rivers Mural - Strathpine Qld. (acrylic) World
Record "Paint by Numbers" 16mtrs x 2mtrs (approx)
20096 colour coded numbered sections.
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In planning the mural,
the world record idea came to her when she realised just how
many segments would be needed to make up the 16m x 1.8m mural.
She contacted the Guinness Book of World Records and discovered
that such a record had never been attempted, so guidelines
had to be specifically developed.
The Pine Rivers Shire Council
and Arts Queensland awarded a Regional Arts Development Fund
Grant and the Council threw its full support behind the mural,
which is now a feature wall at the Pine Rivers Community Centre.
Having always had a community
focus, Mrs Skinner wanted to involve as many people as possible
in the project.
"It would have been much
easier to paint the mural myself," she explained, "but
being a community centre, it is such a community thing, I
really wanted to involve the whole community even though I
knew it would be such a big project to organise and oversee."
Community response was fantastic
with many local organisations enthusiastically taking up the
cause, providing volunteers of all ages and from all walks
of life to paint the 20,096 numbered sections.
Mrs Skinner and council staff
coordinated the project, which encompassed school students,
girl guides, Police Citizens Youth Club members, church groups,
handicapped groups, Rotary and Lions clubs, senior citizens'
clubs, the Endeavor Foundation, and the local Chamber of Commerce.
The mural features a paddle wheeler
steam ship arriving in Moreton Bay, the small township during
the Gympie Gold Rush, a bullock team, Cobb & Co. and the
railway station now known as Petrie.
According to Strathpine &
District Senior Citizens volunteers Ken and Nova McLaughlin,
the mural is historically accurate. "Times were hard
for early settlers. The mural is a true and accurate painting
of how the pioneers worked and settled here," said Mrs
McLaughlin.
Fellow member, Harry Klaws was
amazed at how the mural turned out. "Painting by numbers
over such a large area, in the early stages of the project
I couldn't see or imagine how it was going to turn out, so
seeing the end result had quite an impact. It's a great asset
for Queensland and the Strathpine community, and a marvellous
piece of history. I feel proud to have contributed."
As did 84 year old Dolly Hermann.
"I was honoured and delighted to paint a little of something
that depicts the history of the Strathpine district where
I have spent all my life," she said.
Younger participants also appreciated
the history, as well as being a part of history in the making.
From the Uniting Church's 'Cross Roads' for physically and
intellectually handicapped adults, autistic 18 year old Aaron
Boyd is a talented, aspiring artist who loves to paint history.
Being involved with the project was very exciting for him,
especially when he was told that, along with all of the other
volunteers, his name would be recorded in the Pine Rivers
Shire Council archives. "Isn't that great! I'm going
to be famous!" he exclaimed.
The project's oldest participant
was 86 year old Ivy Hunt, who is almost blind. "When
I could see I used to enjoy painting and drawing, and I'm
interested in anything of beauty and anything that helps anyone,
so it was lovely to be involved and I really enjoyed it,"
she said. "With its size and in a good location, it's
just terrific that people can go and see it."
Janet said "I wanted to
tell of a time gone by. Expressing my thoughts, feelings and
vision through painting is very satisfying," she explained.
"Conforming to the Guinness Book guidelines was quite
an involved process, but it's been really worthwhile. I have
the certificate of official recognition, of which I am very
proud, and of which the community should be very proud."
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