Collingwood Community Paint the Town

The folks of Collingwood, Golden Bay are enjoying the good old days of lending a hand for the good of the community. Painting a giant mural on the side of Collingwood Café, locals and tourists are all getting their hands dirty, as they paint 4 huge panels, to a design by Chris Finlayson, renowned New Zealand muralist. Chris's other prominent works are the Forest and Bird mural in Wellington and the Aotearoa mural in Nelson.

The funds for the mural were raised by Collingwood resident, Nicola Basham, via a totally local market, an auction, donations by the Golden Bay Bag Ladies (the award money from the Transpower Volunteer Heritage and Environment Award that they had won in 2006), scaffolding donated by landlord Mr David Hovenden of Tinky's Tavern - as well as funds from Pub Charity, painting sponsorship from Resene and brushes sponsorship from the local ITM.

The design is a series of snapshots across time, of people and nature interacting within the familiar timeless backdrop of the Collingwood Hills, with a quirky royal spoonbill sitting atop a vintage car.

The mural painting started a few days ago, yet there is still a lot of painting to do and people are very much needed to come and lend a hand, across the next week. Says Chris "Nowadays there aren't that many ways that people can make a difference to the town and culture where they live. The Collingwood Mural gives all adults and teens that chance - to make their mark and have fun"

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