Joel Fergie’s South Burnett inspired Kingaroy laneway

Hector Monro Lane in Kingaroy is undergoing a fantastic makeover by a nationally recognised mural artist, highlighting the individuality, hard working nature and community of the South Burnett.

Hunter Monro Lane in Kingaroy is undergoing a fantastic makeover by a nationally recognised mural artist.

A bland laneway in the heart of Kingaroy is undergoing a transformation thanks to a nationally recognised mural artist from Brisbane.

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Joel Fergie aka the Zookeeper is making over Hector Munro Lane in Kingaroy, a design created to reflect the hard working nature, creativity and uniqueness of the South Burnett.

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Mr Fergie has designed and painted murals all over regional Queensland, from water towers, beach walks, rocks and buildings.

On Saturday morning, March 25, he will be workshopping graffiti with eight lucky art students at the Kingaroy Youth Park.

The artist said he grew up skateboarding and developed a passion for graffiti.

“As soon as I picked up a spray can I wanted to get better at it, which slowly lead to small opportunities here there and everywhere,” Mr Fergie said.

The three silos in Thallon, painted by Joel Fergie.

“About seven years ago I was asked to paint a water tower and since then I have been travelling to little towns all over,” he said.

The design process for Kingaroy began in late 2022 when Mr Fergie was contacted by councillor Kirstie Schumacher who wanted to bring some art to life in the town.

Mr Fergie was introduced to lots of people such as small business owners and farmers from Kingaroy.

“I realised Kingaroy is a place of diversity with people willing to try their hand at different things whether it be making, growing or creating,” Mr Fergie said.

“Lots of people wear many hats.

“I saw the old Akruba hats people had swapped in for new ones at Coppard’s Menswear and thought it would be cool to do a mural of all these different hats from Kingaroy, all these different people and their stories,” he said.

Joel Fergie will continue to paint Hunter Monro Lane Kingaroy over the next week.

Mr Fergie photographed a wide range of hats representing Kingaroy in farming, sport and community, contributed by more than 20 Kingaroy locals.

“As you walk through what I’ve painted you’ll see a jar of peanut butter, a cricket ball, the Bunya nut and flowers local to Kingaroy,” he said.

“It looks like a little bit of a headache at the moment, but it’s all in my head.”