Public art and stories at the centrepiece in the revitalisation of Boonah’s town centre

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Published
16 December 2020
Artist Chris Trotter and his Steaming Noisy Minor Rail public art piece on the corner of Yeates Ave and Park St, Boonah.

Artist Chris Trotter and his Steaming Noisy Minor Rail public art piece located in Boonah's revitalised town centre.

Boonah’s streetscape comes to life with new public artworks and storyboards as part of the Boonah Town Centre Revitalisation Project capturing the unique stories, history and character of the region.  

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said it was a vision of the Boonah Town Centre Revitalisation Project to reinvigorate the space with art and history to help create a strong sense of place for the local community.  

“It was important to collaborate with the local community to find out the stories that were important to them that could be brought to life through the project,” he said.  

“Water and the natural environment are running themes for the community and these are reflected in the new public artworks.  

“Council worked with local historians, writers, museums, Indigenous elders, artists and environmental groups to gather stories, and create artworks and history storyboards that run across Railway street, Park Street, Church street and High street.  

“The seven commissioned public artworks includes intricate bronze artworks of native wildlife, seating designs inspired by local flora, and whimsical chook themed creations using a mix of discarded farm and domestic objects.  

“The walkway connecting the forecourt to the rear car park features a 20-metre-long artwork designed by Ugurapul artists telling the story of the Warrajum.  

“Two wayfinding sculptures, inspired by the iconic Blumbergville Clock have also been installed, creating a story trail throughout the High Street precinct.”   

Cr Christensen said local heritage and storytelling featured prominently in the new town centre, with interpretive signage and history plaques installed along High Street, all part of the development of a new heritage focused Scenic Rim story trail.  

“Storyboards outside the Boonah Cultural Centre talk about the advertising curtain from 1937 which was unearthed in an old works shed in Boonah removed in the town centre upgrade, and the historic advertising curtain can also be viewed along the story trail,” he said.  

"Council is committed to creating places and spaces that promote the unique character of the Scenic Rim through the Vibrant and Active Towns and Villages initiative.  

 “Revitalisation of the Boonah Town Centre will promote positive economic and social outcomes and reflects the community's diverse personality.”  

The revitalised Boonah Town Centre was officially launched on Tuesday 15 December 2020. The revitalisation of the town centre was joint initiative and co-funded under the Australian Government's Building Better Regions Fund, Queensland Government's Building our Regions fund, and Scenic Rim Regional Council.  

Public artworks and history storyboards installed as part of the revitalisation of Boonah Town Centre include:  

Public artworks  

  • Free Range – Chris Trotter   

  • "Moombul Moombul Warrajum" – John Long, Teenie Wilton, Roberta Coolwell, Racheal Long  

  • A Callistemon Stood Here – Sally Hart  

  • Blumbergville Rail Signal – Chris Trotter  

  • Steaming Noisy Minor Rail – Chris Trotter  

  • Sharing Space-Fauna of the Scenic Rim – Cathy Anderson  

History storyboards  

  • Warrayum Stories – John Long Story, Teenie Wilton artwork  

  • Water Storyboard – Templin Museum Story, Sally Hart illustrations  

  • Moogerah Peaks and Sharing Space – Miriam Nyrene Stories, Scott Warner photography  

  • Boonah Advertising Curtain – Original Artwork Harry Whitman 1934, Significance and Conservation John Waldron  

  • Heritage plaques - Wendy Creighton