Small Town. Big Art. Big Stories.
Kaniva and District Progress Association is presently seeking funding to activate the eastern end of Commercial St. Back in 2020, as part of KDPA's strategic plan, we identified several walls that would be suitable for murals, so far all applications have been unsuccessful, but we are continuing to lodge applications. Ultimately, two prominent blank walls at the eastern end of Commercial Street were selected for their ability to increase foot traffic along the street.
It is our hope these will become vibrant, immersive artworks that celebrate two unique local stories.
Led by Jimmi Buscombe, an experienced and renowned Victorian Artist, known for his Australian wildlife and anamorphic (3D) artworks, who has developed, managed and installed more than 60 mural projects across Australia and the USA since 2018. He is fully insured through National Association for the Visual Arts and holds an EWP HRW licence for high-risk elevated work. The creative aim within his work is to offer a sense of joy and deeper connection through reflections of the natural world and the people, flora and fauna that inhabit it.
Why This Project Matters
Every day, around 4,000 vehicles travel through Kaniva on the Western Highway. Right now, many visitors stop briefly at the western end of town — then leave. These murals will create powerful visual “bookends” to our main street, drawing visitors through the town and linking the Big Windmill, Visitor Information Centre, Kaniva Community Roadhouse, Public Toilets, Sheep Art Trail and Silo Art with quality retail and hospitality businesses. This means:.
The Stories We Will Tell
The first mural on the side wall of the Little Desert Quilts shop, will interpret the Little Desert National Park, significant as the origins of Victoria’s conservation movement and its status as a sanctuary for unique semi-arid biodiversity. The Little Desert Quilt's eastern wall position, is highly visible for traffic travelling West to Adelaide, it also receives only morning sun, which will help extend the artwork’s lifespan beyond the expected 10 years, protecting the investment.
The second mural will feature local hero Banjo, nationally recognised working kelpie and winner of ABC’s 2025 Muster Dogs series, strengthening Kaniva’s Sheep Art Trail and agricultural story. Banjo’s story continues to attract media and community attention through regional events and ABC engagement, with the artwork building on this momentum to celebrate the bond between humans and working dogs.
While both artworks will be inclusive and accessible to all visitors, they are intentionally designed to broaden Kaniva’s audience appeal. The Little Desert mural will resonate strongly with grey nomads, nature enthusiasts and environmentally minded travellers seeking authentic conservation stories. The Banjo mural, with its nationally recognised working dog story, is designed to engage families, younger visitors and pet lovers. Together, the murals expand Kaniva’s appeal across multiple visitor demographics, strengthening economic return.
More than murals
This project is about much more than paint.
It includes:
How you can be part of it
KDPA has raised dedicated public art funds through Australian Silo Art calendar sales since 2020, ensuring external funding directly leverages community-generated capital. — but we can expand and make this project so much more with your help.
If you'd like to get involved,
You can:
For all enquiries, please contact Project Coordinator Helen Hobbs on 0429 888 250
Kaniva and District Progress Association is presently seeking funding to activate the eastern end of Commercial St. Back in 2020, as part of KDPA's strategic plan, we identified several walls that would be suitable for murals, so far all applications have been unsuccessful, but we are continuing to lodge applications. Ultimately, two prominent blank walls at the eastern end of Commercial Street were selected for their ability to increase foot traffic along the street.
It is our hope these will become vibrant, immersive artworks that celebrate two unique local stories.
Led by Jimmi Buscombe, an experienced and renowned Victorian Artist, known for his Australian wildlife and anamorphic (3D) artworks, who has developed, managed and installed more than 60 mural projects across Australia and the USA since 2018. He is fully insured through National Association for the Visual Arts and holds an EWP HRW licence for high-risk elevated work. The creative aim within his work is to offer a sense of joy and deeper connection through reflections of the natural world and the people, flora and fauna that inhabit it.
Why This Project Matters
Every day, around 4,000 vehicles travel through Kaniva on the Western Highway. Right now, many visitors stop briefly at the western end of town — then leave. These murals will create powerful visual “bookends” to our main street, drawing visitors through the town and linking the Big Windmill, Visitor Information Centre, Kaniva Community Roadhouse, Public Toilets, Sheep Art Trail and Silo Art with quality retail and hospitality businesses. This means:.
- More foot traffic.
- More dwell time.
- More photos shared online.
- More reasons to stay overnight.
- More pride in our town and community.
- More people choosing to live, work, or invest in Kaniva.
The Stories We Will Tell
The first mural on the side wall of the Little Desert Quilts shop, will interpret the Little Desert National Park, significant as the origins of Victoria’s conservation movement and its status as a sanctuary for unique semi-arid biodiversity. The Little Desert Quilt's eastern wall position, is highly visible for traffic travelling West to Adelaide, it also receives only morning sun, which will help extend the artwork’s lifespan beyond the expected 10 years, protecting the investment.
The second mural will feature local hero Banjo, nationally recognised working kelpie and winner of ABC’s 2025 Muster Dogs series, strengthening Kaniva’s Sheep Art Trail and agricultural story. Banjo’s story continues to attract media and community attention through regional events and ABC engagement, with the artwork building on this momentum to celebrate the bond between humans and working dogs.
While both artworks will be inclusive and accessible to all visitors, they are intentionally designed to broaden Kaniva’s audience appeal. The Little Desert mural will resonate strongly with grey nomads, nature enthusiasts and environmentally minded travellers seeking authentic conservation stories. The Banjo mural, with its nationally recognised working dog story, is designed to engage families, younger visitors and pet lovers. Together, the murals expand Kaniva’s appeal across multiple visitor demographics, strengthening economic return.
More than murals
This project is about much more than paint.
It includes:
- Mentorship for one or two local artists living in West Wimmera Shire, with skill development in large-scale mural techniques
- A community workshop and/or artist talk
- Imagine future murals led by home-grown talent.
- Imagine Interactive photo moments. The anamorphic (3D) element by Jimmi Buscombe creates highly shareable images. Visitors kneeling “next to Banjo” or stepping “into the Little Desert” becomes organic social media marketing.
- Imagine art works being activated and promoted by ai marketing and digital storytelling, community education around conservation and responsible pet ownership.
How you can be part of it
KDPA has raised dedicated public art funds through Australian Silo Art calendar sales since 2020, ensuring external funding directly leverages community-generated capital. — but we can expand and make this project so much more with your help.
If you'd like to get involved,
You can:
- Pledge a donation
- Help to prepare walls
- Contribute in-kind support
For all enquiries, please contact Project Coordinator Helen Hobbs on 0429 888 250
Kaniva, first and last highway town in Victoria.
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