by Nicholas Duck

Thorpdale Primary School recently unveiled a new mural that aims to capture the spirit of the local community.

The image depicts several images to represent the township and its farming identity, including freshly uncovered potatoes, potato flowers, a kelpie, a sheep and a tractor.
After clearing a number of trees behind the school's art room, principal David Shields was inspired to use the newly uncovered wall for an artistic project.
"As a practicing artist myself I always wanted the school that I'm the principal of to have a real art flavour," he said.
"It was a perfect blank canvas for a really engaging, bright artwork to promote both the school and the community. We have a really thriving art program and just felt like it was a great opportunity."
David soon sought out the help of Emerald-based professional George Manioudakis to bring the project to life.
"It was great to be able to get a professional like George come in and do this. He was excellent with the kids, he allowed them full access to the whole process."
David consulted with students, parents, staff and community members to decide what elements of Thorpdale should be featured on the mural, with the most common answer of course being potatoes.
The community even got to choose the name of the kelpie featured on the wall, with 'Spud' taking top honours.
The mural is now one of the first thing visitors to the town will see entering via Morwell-Thorpdale Rd and has already received plenty of positive feedback.
"The kids have really engaged with it and everywhere I've gone locally everyone is talking about the mural on the wall and how great it looks," David said.
The school now has plans to put up more art around its grounds, including a piece on a water tank that has already been completed and one on their rebound wall to be painted over summer.