A
ustralia’s Wimmera Mallee region in the
north-west of the state of Victoria was once
a hub of thriving towns, held together by
a strong focus on farming and communi-
ty. With a decline in the use of Australia’s
railway networks through greater involve-
ment in mass road transport many towns within the re-
gion went into decline, some disappearing all together.
The decline lasted decades as many towns focal points,
the giant grain silos, fell into disuse while even larger ones
were built around new railway routes or trucking depots.
It was a time that saw the farming heritage of the region
changing dramatically, some simply walked away while
others fought for survival.
With a population of just 260 and a history dating back
170 years, the townspeople of Brim had had enough of the
despair and set about making amends. They realised they
needed something to draw people to the area, to revitalise
their region, something that would invigorate.
Through the Brim Active Community Group, they set
about looking for ideas, and one was sat there right in
front of them; the largest structure in town – the grain si-
los. The community group enlisted the help of the silos
owners, GrainCorp, along with Juddy Roller and artist,
Guido van Helten, and before long the town found them-
selves the attention of worldwide media. Their grain silos
had become the canvas for a portrait the likes of very rare-
ly seen before.
Brim’s silos, built in 1939, feature four multi-genera-
tional farmers from the region. The generations almost
as old as the silos themselves.
Staring at the four portraits, the viewers mind wanders
in all directions, trying to absorb the immensity of the
scene, while minute details leave one wondering about
the subjects. Who are they? Are they still in Brim? What
did they do? What are they thinking?
From close or afar you can’t help but feel a ghostly
presence as the four giants look down. There’s a feeling
of hardship, yet optimism and rejuvenation is fighting
through.
With the attention came tourists. First those just pass-
ing through, now many on a pilgrimage to see the silos, to
TRAVERSE
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