Sunbury is a big regional town located in greater Melbourne and a short drive from Melbourne (Tullamarine) airport. It lies on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people. Sunbury is known as the Koorakoorakup in the local First Nations language. Significant cultural and First Nations archaeological sites, including the five earth rings. These earth rings are similar to the Bora rings found in Queensland Australia and were said to be used as ceremonial gatherings. Read more about Sunbury earth rings here and here. I visited one of the five Sunbury Rings, the Reservoir Road Earth Ring which is surrounded by Jackson Hill new housing estate luckily the earth ring has been protected by a fence and a sign is added to mark the location of the ring. First Nations art is also celebrated around Sunbury with a beautiful mural on the Gaps Road rail bridge by local artist Teena Moffat. Moffat's artwork was inspired by local significant land features such as Mount Holden, Jackson’s Creek the Organ Pipes and Rosette
Rock. A mural located at 63 O'shanassy street created by First Nation woman Mandi Barton is entitled Where the creek flows and reflects the water ways and landscape of Sunbury. Sunbury Aboriginal Corporation is also located at 43 Macedon Street in the old Court House.
Reservoir Road Earth Ring
the Reservoir Road Earth Ring at 76 Fullwood Drive Sunbury
Plaque of Teena Moffatt's Gap Road Railway Bridge
Teena Moffatt's Gap Road Railway Bridge
Detail of Teena Moffatt's Gap Road Railway Bridge
Mandi Barton's mural in alley way created back in 2021
Dulai Wurrung
Dulai Wurrung is the Wurundjeri word for platpypus. I saw a collection of platypus themed public art in Sunbury and some a little out of Sunbury at Clarkefield and Oatlands Junction but still within the the region. The first mural was created by Sunbury local Helen Cannon and celebrates the native fauna and flora of the region. It is located between 46-60 Oshanassy street. Another mural featuring the platypus and other local fauna was created by Ervin Molnar and is located at the new Jackson's Creek underpass located close to Apex Park Sunbury and Jackson's creek. Below are some photo's of the two murals.
Helen Cannon
Helen Cannon mural detail
Helen Cannon mural detail
Helen Cannon mural detail
Helen Cannon mural detail
Helen Cannon mural
Helen Cannon mural platypus detail
Ervin Molnar
Clarkefield and Oatland Junction murals
Below are some water tank murals from near by suburbs of Clarkefield and Oatlands Junction about 20 mintue drive from Sunbury. Alex Sugar created the murals on the two water tanks at Clarkefield along the corner of Konagaderra Roadd and Palmers Lane which features native flora and fauna found in the region. The water tank located at 170 Konagaderra Rd, Oaklands Junction was created by John Patten which displays a beautiful platypus design.
Sunbury pop festival was an annual rock festival in Sunbury celebrating rock music. A mural remembering the famous occasion that the band Queen were booed off stage at the 1974 Sunbury pop festival is located in the new housing estate Redstone just outside Sunbury. The mural was created by artist Danielle Weber and is an amazing photo realistic version of the iconic band. Check out here behind the scenes video here.
Historic buildings
I visited the historic Rupertswood Mansion in Sunbury, it use to be open to the public but is now part of the Salesian College. The lovely staff allowed me to view the building and the lower floor stain glass windows one that features a platypus. the above floor also feature three stain glass windows but the upper level of the building wasn't open to the public. The windows were created by Urie and Fergeson in 1874-76 and painted by artist David Relph Drape. Read more about the history of the windows here. The mansion was designed by architect George L. Browne and completed in 1874, it was the home to Sir William Clarke Family. It was also the site of the birthplace of the Ashes a cricket as it refers to the the cricket test match between Australia and England. following the Australian 2-1 win against the English team in 1882. The same year the Clarke's family hosted the touring English team. Following a social
match at Rupertswood, Lady Janet Clarke presented the English captain Ivo
Bligh an urn which held the ashes of burnt bail, this was said to be the birth of the ashes urn as a trophy which has continued today. Read more about the Ashes cricket game here.
Sunbury Caloola
Sunbury Caloola was first established as Sunbury Industrial School 1865-1879. From 1879-1992 it was operating as Sunbury insane Asylum. From 1994-2016 it was operating as a university campus. As of today it is closed off to the public and fenced off. It seems a shame for this beautiful designed building to just weather away. It would be interesting to see what they will do with it. Read more about the history of the building here. It is located at 1 Circular Drive Jackson Hill Sunbury.
Cricket history
As mentioned earlier above Sunbury was the birthplace of the ashes, and around the town is a selection of cricket themed public art including a cricket wicket and ball town clock. Below are some of the cricket history I found in town located on Evans Street.
Sign out the front gate of Rupertswood
Town clock
The oval at Rupertswood grounds
Replica of Ashes trophey by Lady Janet Clarke presented to the English captain Ivo
Bligh which was available to buy from Sunbury Visitor centre
The Nook
I'm always on the look for greenspace when I travel and for places that are nice for bush walking. A prime location in Sunbury is called the Nook. It is located around Jacksons creek and is a parkland and nature reserve. Read more about it here. It is the perfect spot for a picnic, watch the local birdlife or bush walking. Platypus are said to be in Jacksons creek too.
Final Thoughts
Sunbury was a lovely big regional town, full of art, culture and nature. I'd definately love to visit again.
Historic bluestone bridge over Jacksons creek
Pamphlet showing local nature trails in Sunbury from the Visitor Information centre within Sunbury Library.
Wow, a rich post, that trip deffo payed :-) my favs are the Gap Road Railway Bridge, the murals by Erwin Molnar and Hayden Dewar, the water tanks and the stained glass windows. Those are awesome
Wow, a rich post, that trip deffo payed :-) my favs are the Gap Road Railway Bridge, the murals by Erwin Molnar and Hayden Dewar, the water tanks and the stained glass windows. Those are awesome
ReplyDeleteThank you so much yes I was surprised by the amount of art that was there but was lovely, the stain glass windows were a fav too.
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