Mural takes shape for centenary
The Terra Nova mural on the Oamaru Rowing Club wall is close to being completed in time for the Scott100 celebrations, which are due to start on Waitangi Day.
The mural has been painted on the northern wall of the club and measures about 9.2 metres wide and 3.6m high.
Designed by Jill Bayley and Ryan Moore of Oamaru, it features Robert Falcon Scott's ship Terra Nova, which carried news of the death of the polar party to Oamaru, as well as Scott and other figures in the snow, penguins and Scott's watch.
The concept came from local woman Bronwyn Judge. "Air brush artist Col Ferguson and retired senior art lecturer at Otago Polytechnic Ken Laraman are putting the final touches to the mural. Both men worked during Christmas and New Year to make sure it would be finished," she said.
"I also want to thank other people who have given their time, including Employment Plus, pupils from Waitaki Girls' High School, Jill Bayley and members of the Oamaru Rowing Club."
The mural, which should last at least 10 years, was funded by donations from Youthtown, Creative Communities and Resene, but once it is completed, according to Mrs Judge, the Oamaru Rowing Club will be happy to discuss naming rights to the mural in exchange for repairing the roof of the rowing shed which leaks badly.
"Anyone interested in securing naming rights for this piece of artwork, should contact the Oamaru Rowing Club chairman Paul Hope at the Waitaki District Council," she said.
