First look: Faces to feature on huge convention centre mural

A massive new artwork at the Geelong convention centre will tell the city’s story through 14 carefully selected faces – from a one-year-old baby to a 94-year-old man.

Geelong-born artist Rone is in the early stages of painting an 88m-long mural at the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.

A mural stretching almost 90m in length will feature 14 faces that have been chosen to represent Geelong’s social and cultural history, in what is the latest addition to the Geelong convention centre.

Acclaimed Geelong-born artist Tyrone “Rone” Wright has commenced work on the mural that is located on the southern wall of the $450m Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre.

Facing Smythe St, the first face – a one-year-old baby – is visible and over the coming months, the other 13 faces will appear in order of youngest to oldest, that being a 94-year-old man.

The first face has started to appear.

Half of the faces will represent the seven Wadawurrung family lines, continuing the collaborative approach to development that saw Nyaal Banyul – which means “open your eyes to the hills” – the first convention centre in Australia designed from inception with traditional owners.

Those chosen to be featured on the wall put their name forward after Rone issued a call out on social media.

Rone has quite the canvas to work with.

While their identities are not yet known, they were chosen because of their connection to the community, rather than their public profile.

“The mural aims to bring the community together, reflecting the community’s changing and evolving storyline along the wall,” Rone said.

“It’s a huge honour to create permanent work in Geelong, be involved in this project and to share my work.”

Rone at work this week.

Rone, a former Curlewis resident and East Geelong Technical School student, was responsible for the 2017 Fyansford silo art project.

The silos, which were demolished in 2020, featured Wadawurrung woman Corrina Eccles, cement worker Cor Horsten, and athlete Kelly Cartwright.

Also among his previous work was an exhibition – Time – at Flinders St Station that transformed several abandoned rooms and received widespread praise.

Artist Rone at the former Fyansford cement silos alongside Corrina Eccles, Cor Horsten and Kelly Cartwright. Picture: Mark Wilson.

Expected to open in its entirety in mid-2026 and funded by all three levels of government, the convention centre and its 1000-seat theatre form the cornerstone of the 1.6ha Nyaal Banyul precinct.

Also on-site will be an 11-storey, 200-room Crowne Plaza hotel, restaurants and retail spaces, and a large public plaza.

Plenary Group is managing the project and funding construction of the $120m hotel as part of a public-private partnership.

“I’m absolutely delighted that Rone will be bringing his talent to this exciting project,” Geelong MP Chris Couzens.

“This state-of-the-art facility will not only transform Geelong’s landscape but also boost local jobs and drive economic growth.”

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj described the precinct as a “game-changer”.

“It will bring major events, create local jobs and boost tourism across the region, and the mural by Rone, celebrating Geelong’s people, spirit and growing national profile, adds something truly special to the centre,” he said.

Originally published as First look: Faces to feature on huge convention centre mural