Benalla artist’s mural first in Australia to honour women’s contributions to war effort across time

By Simon Ruppert

Jan 5, 2024

Talented: Benalla’s Tim Bowtell in front of one of his recent murals, on the Katamatite silos. Photo by Megan Fisher

Benalla’s Tim Bowtell has produced many incredible murals, but his latest could be one of his most important.

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On Friday, February 16, veterans from across the region will join locals in Violet Town for the unveiling of the large mural honouring women who served in or supported Australian defence forces in times of war.

The mural is being painted on the Violet Town RSL sub-branch and is the first in Australia dedicated to honouring women’s contributions to the nation’s war efforts.

The unveiling starts at 10am next to the town’s Boer War Memorial on Cowslip St.

The mural tells the story of local women connected to Violet Town and district who served, but set in a national context.

It is 17m long and nearly two metres high.

Project Manager Neil Garrett said while about 20 local women had been identified as serving in the army, navy, air force, or on the home front, they served in World War I and World War II.

“The project team was keen to create a mural that symbolically represents those who served across the spectrum – from the Boer War to the present, as well as those who helped on the home front,” he said.

The mural covers the major conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries and features portraits of women.

Storyboards highlight the different services that women joined and the roles they played.

Jenni Kennedy is the cousin of one of the women memorialised, Air-craftswoman Beryl Ramage.

“I always felt that we should recognise the women of the district as well as the men, and this mural does them all justice,” Ms Kennedy said.

Violet Town RSL sub-branch acting president Joe Martin said he was proud that so many volunteers within the Violet Town community had come together to produce a national memorial.

“Apart from members of the RSL, past and present, the work involved our local Men’s Shed, local history researchers, a women’s war historian, the Violet Town history group and many more,” he said.

“We are also thankful for the financial donations made to the project from state government, local government, community groups, individuals and in-kind support.”

The mural will become part of Victoria’s military history trail, extending from Seymour northward.