How Hervey Bay’s iconic whales are fighting graffiti on buildings on the Fraser Coast

A Fraser Coast art project is bringing whales to walls that would otherwise be targeted by vandals.

Artists Matt Thompson and Cam Scale with Fraser Coast Councillor David Lewis in front of the whale mural. Photo: Contributed.

Humpback whales are taking on graffiti artists in Hervey Bay with a new Mary to Bay Rail Trail mural unveiled.

Artists Matt Thompson and Cam Scale have spent the past week painting the mural on the side of the Repco building next to the trail as it cuts through Pialba.

Councillor David Lewis said humpback whales were iconic and the mural would help brighten up that wall and add to the existing trail of artworks (murals and sculptures) along the trail between Boat Harbour Drive and Old Maryborough Road.

“Murals and street art help create an atmosphere and encourage people to get out of their cars to have a look and explore an area,” Cr Lewis said.

“They can also deter vandals and graffiti artists.”

The finished mural will be coated with an anti-graffiti coating to deter vandals from tagging it.

The two artists have painted murals on grain silos and multistorey buildings.

“We wanted to celebrate the local wildlife and chose the humpback whale which is synonymous with the region,” artist Mr Thompson said.

“They were hunted to near extinction, so it is a timely reminder of the role we play as caretakers of our environment and the fragility of life.

“The wall presented a unique opportunity to suitably capture their immense presence and energy.

“Humpbacks are known for their playful antics and this mural captures whales in all their glory, moving both above and below the surface; breaching the surface and diving below.”

The finished piece uses a blend of street art/graffiti and fine art techniques to create a landmark piece that will inspire the imagination of people using the trail.