GrainCorp Rochester Silos
Jimmy D’vate was born in Malvern and educated at Monash University. His art has seen him work in just about every state of Australia with stints as far away as London and Los Angeles. In the past 10 years he has had two successful trips to Europe where he left large-scale murals in Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands. Back home he has won awards and produced quality murals all highlighting Jimmy’s growing passion of local flora and fauna.
When commissioned and where possible Jimmy will choose a plant, bird or native animal that is either endangered or threatened, his ultimate aim to raise awareness of conservation issues. Jimmy comes from a multicultural background and grew up camping and exploring the bush, always with a strong love of nature. He is the brains and the brawn behind the Rochester Silo Artwork and leads a small backing team consisting of his wife and project manager Carmen and his friend and photographer Casey Richardson. Locals watched with interest as a magnificent Azure Kingfisher sitting on a branch alongside the Campaspe River featuring the red rail bridge and beautiful vegetation appeared on the first silo.
By the time work started on the second silo, locals were joined by travellers and tourists from all over. They all took time to stop and admire and discuss firstly the outline, then overtime quietly stood in awe as a massive endangered Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcencis) clinging to a Red River Gum branch made his entrance. The silos were finished July 2018.
On behalf of the town and local residents our heartfelt thanks and best wishes for a job very well done go with them.
The endangered Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcencis) is the largest of three gliders that inhabit this region of Northern Victoria.
The Azure Kingfisher with his radiant blue head and body is the brightest coloured of all four kingfishers found in northern Victoria.
Check out our newest town artwork
The Platypus (Ornithorynchus anatinus) one of the most unusual and interesting animals in the world can be found at various locations along the Campaspe River at Rochester in northern Victoria. This can be found behind the existing silo artwork.
In October 2024, Jimmy Dvate seems to have captured the New Holland Honeyeater mid-flight. If you look carefully you almost see the feathers flutter. The birds name, New Holland, suggests that it was first spotted in Tasmania way back in the late 1700s. This brave little bird can be found from Gympie in Queensland, to Kangaroo Island in South Australia and to Tasmania where it is thought to cross the Bass Straight for breeding purposes. The beautifully coloured Grevillia Ned Kelly may not be indigenous to northern Victoria but grows well locally and is highly sought as a garden plant and for attracting any of the dozens of Honeyeater species that inhabit the East Coast of Australia.
Jimmy’s broad knowledge of native birds, animals and plants saw him wisely place the two species together in this wonderful silo art piece. He says that a photo by Rochester photographer Bruce Povey, taken within walking distance of the silos, was the inspiration for this work.
A must for to see
Iddles Lane
A sepia-toned portrait of Detective Ron Iddles is a former Australian Police Detective who had a conviction rate of 99%, which earned him the name of “Australia’s greatest detective”.
Artist Tim Bowtell was selected by the Iddles family to illustrate their beginning as Iddles Brothers Shoe Shop in the 1950s to Ron becoming the man behind Foxtel’s Ron Iddles: The Good Cop.”
Rochester Mural Festival
The Rochester Mural Festival is held each year in the last week of February or the first week in March. In this Festival eight artists work over one week to complete a mural that measures 2.1 x 4.8 metres. Artists are selected from applications made late in the previous year. The event takes place in the Mural Park off Moore St. Rochester. Murals from past events are on display in that location.
Rochester Sips & Sounds Festival
Save the Date – following the conclusion of the Rochester Mural festival, Sips and Sounds will bring music, sips, art and fun into the heart of Rochy!
More information to come!
S: Don’t miss Friday Night, March 27 – some great music to open the festival.
