Editorial: Niagara Cafe mural to be restored

TODAY Dave Layzell, Member for Upper Hunter, announced he is giving $158,429 for the old Niagara Cafe mural to be restored.

The mural was partially unearthed during the renovations for the public toilet in Kelly Street and seems to be of a country and western theme.

What’s behind the blue panels? L-R: Members of the Revitalisation Committee Patricia Taylor, Cr Elizabeth Flaherty and Lynda Posa with Dave Layzell MP.

Council made the decision to protect the mural with the large blue panels now lining the wall and apply for funding in the hope that this small piece of local history may one day be seen again.

Nobody is quite sure what lies beneath, stories of horses, cowboys and American Indians abound and what we may find could be as wild as the west once was.

Another story is the mural was painted over a previous mural and the western theme caused quite a stir in the town at the time.

The project is a now a bit like unearthing a time capsule, last seen in Scone approximately 60 years ago and what we may find could be surprising or shocking, it remains to be seen.

The rest of the space will also be getting an overhaul, to make the public toilet block, less stark.

Artists have been shortlisted to put forward a design for the rest of the space, which can now incorporate the renovated mural.

The Scone Revitalisation Committee has recommended the final proposals from the artists be put out to the community to vote on their favourite.

 
Kind Regards, Cr Elizabeth Flaherty

Above are my perspectives, opinions and beliefs as a Councillor on the Upper Hunter Shire Council, are my own, which may not (in fact probably don’t) reflect Council’s position, but which as an elected representative I am supported in law to freely express.