It is a great example of a community project that has ticked so many boxes. The mural around the Merimbula public toilets was officially commissioned on Monday, November 2 to great delight from all concerned.
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The mural was was undertaken by artists SueEllen Yates and Yasmin Threadgate who enlisted the help of many others in an inclusive project.
The toilet block in Merimbula's Palmer Lane received its vibrant makeover and upgrade thanks to a collaboration between council, the Merimbula Chamber of Commerce, The Disability Trust and the two talented local artists.
It's an inside-and-out refresh that includes a spruced-up inside with repaired partitions, new doors and painted walls, but most obvious is the cheery mural gracing the toilet block's exterior.
At the commissioning president of the Merimbula Chamber of Commerce Nigel Ayling said it was a wonderful sea of colour with people right across the community getting involved.
"I don't know how many more boxes we could tick with this . I'm very happy and proud to be involved," Mr Ayling said.
Community connections manager at The Disability Trust Peter Harvey said the organisation had been attracted by the community inclusiveness.
"I acknowledge you both for including people of different skill ranges," Mr Harvey said to Ms Yates and Ms Threadgate.
Council's project manager Sean Howle said the new look toilet block shows what can be achieved when people and organisations work together to improve local spaces.
"The project started with council securing a federal grant to improve streetscapes around the Shire," Mr Howle said.
"For one of our first projects we approached the Merimbula Chamber of Commerce, asking for a list of potential deliverable projects to improve the appearance and amenity of the town's CBD.
"First on the list was to improve the look and interior of the only toilet block in the commercial zone.
"We got to work on improving the internal functions and worked with the chamber to think about options for the outside.
"Yasmin and SueEllen Yates from the Disability Trust, along with a raft of volunteers, helped to bring the design to life, and they have turned a tired-looking building into a fantastic work of art.
"Being in such a prominent position, the artists had a lot of attention when painting the mural, and some great stories came from this.
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"A lady came by and said how she had always enjoyed painting together with her mum, who had recently passed away. She was given the opportunity to add to the mural as a memento of this special relationship," Mr Howle said.
Funding for the streetscape project came from the federal government's Drought Communities Program, with other projects on the way in Eden, Bega and Bermagui.
The toilet block was officially reopened with a celebration of the partnership in Merimbula. Project collaborators and the many artists who participated gathered to see the new look building reopened to the community.
