Sandpiper and Water Wise Murals

Indigenous culture and the importance of water for life are the focus of two community murals at Lake Pertobe.

The murals are a joint project between Wannon Water and Warrnambool City Council and have given the lake’s sewer pump station a vibrant makeover.

Designed by Warrnambool artist Ella Webb, the two large artworks are in a series of panels painted with help from primary school students as part of the city’s Healthy Moves Program and supported by the Laka Gunditj Language Project.

One mural recognises local indigenous culture, stories and language, which is a key objective of the council’s Lake Pertobe Masterplan and depicts small sandpiper birds in the environment.

The name Lake Pertobe is thought to have come from the word “pirtup”, meaning small sandpiper.

The second mural is designed to increase community understanding of sustainability issues and highlight the importance of water in our environment.