With Scone's horse celebrations back in the stable for another year, the red-socked sheep are next at the gates, with the Merriwa Rosto Festival of the Fleeces on the long weekend 7 to 9 June.
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This year, visitors will be greeted by 10 metre high sheep* frolicking in a golden field.
To create this public artwork on the Graincorp silos located north east of Merriwa, the artist used 160 litres of primer and 280 litres of paint. It will look fantastic for many, many years to come.
Judging from the positive comments from travellers who marvelled at the mural, it certainly has placed Merriwa on the silo trail tourist map.
This Council project was a recommendation from 2016 Merriwa Town Masterplan and has taken some time to come to fruition. As chair of Council's Merriwa Economic Development and Tourism Committee, I would like to thank the committee for their support and perseverance to bring the project to completion.
With the revitalisation of the skate park, which includes establishment of toilet facilities and the relocation of the Driver Reviver facility, this will allow a perfect viewing area of the silos.
The wide street area opposite the skate park and side streets will allow traffic to safely pull over, especially caravans to enjoy the revitalised skate park facility and the view. The committee envisages a notice board describing some Merriwa history and the significance of artwork.
* A number of people have asked about the breed of sheep that feature on the silos and in the festival grand parade down the main street of Merriwa n the Saturday. They are Merino Border Lester first cross ewes, a very good breed to produce prime lambs when crossed.
Plans and Budget
I encourage everyone to take an interest in the Council's draft plans on public display for comment until the 3 June 2019.
The Draft Delivery Program 2017/2018 - 2020/2021 and Operational Plan 2019/2020 provide the Community with details on what Council plans to do to achieve in coming years and how we plan to fund it. The Operational Plan provides a detailed budget for the financial year as well as the Fees and Charges.
There are three public meetings still to be held and I urge you to attend one.
At Cassilis from 5pm and at Merriwa School of Arts Hall at 7pm on Monday 20 May 2019. Then at the Murrurundi CWA from 6pm Wednesday 22 May 2019.
I hope you will come along and find out about Council's plans.
