In recent years, what had become a much-visited Binalong icon had begun to show its age. So late 2014, a small group of Lizz Murphy, Yvette Gilroy, Hayley Crossing and Robyn Sykes got together to tackle the mural question. Initially it was hoped some parts of the original artwork could be retained, but on closer inspection the committee decided complete replacement would be the best option. They started brainstorming. Preliminary sketches appeared.

Then in early 2015, Binalong decided to stage a re-enactment of the historic gun battle that resulted in the death of the bushranger who had become one of the most notorious criminals in the colony. An unveiling of the new mural on May 16 - amid the period costumes, re-enactment excitement, and music, poetry and bush dancing - was agreed. Suddenly there was a deadline and the mural work took on new urgency.

The committee was absolutely delighted when Binalong’s resident Archibald Prize winning artist, Janet Dawson Boddy, came on board and the whole project blossomed.

The new mural

In brief, the new mural will retain the Gilbert theme, be sympathetic to the original and retain some elements of its style and colour. It is designed with a sense of changing light and times of day to incorporate the story and will contain a small scale replica of the original work.

“I am looking forward to seeing more of Janet Dawson Boddy’s concept,” said Lizz Murphy today, “and very excited about what will be Binalong’s first art collaboration by its now numerous talented artists.”

The new mural will be unveiled at 4pm on Saturday May 16, as part of the Wild Colonial Re-enactment weekend of May 15-17, 2015. 

The new Gilbert Mural is a Binalong Arts Group Inc project.