Cranbrook primary students and regional artist create mural for Water Corporation Splash of Colour Project

A show of artistry by Cranbrook Primary School students and a regional artist has amazed viewers with “the most realistic depiction” of a native bell flower they have ever seen. Water Corporation’s latest Splash of Colour project saw regional artist Natalie Veal and year 2-4 students transform a dull water cabinet into the town’s centrepiece with a mural on July 31. Since 2017, the Splash of Colour project has painted more than 75 pieces of Water Corporation water and wastewater infrastructure to depict local stories of how water interacts with the land. Veal collaborated with students and the community to pinpoint significant elements of the local area to incorporate into the mural design, including the Cranbrook bell flower, western spotted frog and splendid fairywren. Veal said those who watched the painting come to life were astonished by the Cranbrook bell flower, with some commenting “it was the most realistic depiction of the flora they’d seen”. “It was a lot of fun working with the students to learn what local features are meaningful in their daily lives,” she said. “Along with an array of local wildlife and plants, I’ve also drawn on regional landforms and water bodies including the Pink Salt Lake, Blue Lake and Stirling Ranges to capture the connection to nature and water across the Great Southern.” Water Corporation Great Southern regional manager Adrian Stewart said the team identified the cabinet for a makeover while upgrading the water treatment plant earlier in the year. “Our project team spent many months in town completing the water treatment plant upgrade works and wanted to give back to the community and celebrate the features of the local area,” he said. “It was also a great opportunity to engage with the local school and have them be part of designing the artwork while educating students about the importance of water in sustaining the natural environment.” The mural is opposite the post office and next to the RSL on Gathorne Street.