The late Aboriginal musician Jimmy Little will soon be part of the NSW silo art trail after Walgett Council chose to recognise his legacy in a mural painting.
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Jimmy is from the Yorta Yorta nation and for a time lived in Walgett. He was the first Indigenous Australian to receive mainstream music success.
At a Walgett Shire Council meeting in March, councillors agreed to paint a mural image of Jimmy on the town's water tower.
The silo and water tower art trail first began in Western Australia, but the concept was such a huge success that it has since spread across other states, including NSW.
The Walgett piece will join two existing murals in the central west, with one at Coonamble and Gulargambone.
It will be based on a photograph taken by John Elliott, which is currently on display at the National Portrait Gallery of Australia.
The image has been approved by Jimmy's family and the Jimmy Little Foundation.
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Jimmy's daughter Frances Peters-Little said the mural painting will be a great national recognition for her father's long contribution to the Aboriginal arts, education, music and health industries across Australia.
She said her father always called Walgett home and the Council's mural painting initiative was a wonderful gesture.
"It is an absolute honour and my parents would be incredibly proud with this happening and my grand-parents from Walgett," Ms Peters-Little said.
"They loved Walgett dearly. It was very close to their heart... and for me personally I am thrilled to pieces. I am about to become a grandmother... when you become a grandmother you start to think about the legacy that passes on.
"I know that I am going to have a grandchild that can look upon this (mural painting) and say 'that is my great-grandfather' and that will continue."
Council are in discussions with a number of artists and are seeking input from local Aboriginal artists to assist with the mural.
"I think the Walgett Shire Council with their water tower will see, not just dad's portrait, but local Aboriginal artwork," Ms Ms Peters-Little said.
*DISCLAIMER: This photo has been shared with ACM with permission from Jimmy Little's family.*
Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
