We've been tracking down some of Australia's most impressive silo art during our travels, and while today's discovery technically isn't a silo, it absolutely deserves a place on the list. The sheer scale of the artwork on Wellington Dam near Collie is something you need to see to truly appreciate.
Lisa spotted it first as we approached the dam wall – this massive mural stretching across the entire concrete face, depicting the region's timber industry heritage. The artwork celebrates the pioneering timber workers and labourers who shaped this part of Western Australia, their stories literally written large across the landscape.
The mural was painted by Guido van Helten, the same brilliant artist behind several of Australia's iconic silo artworks. He completed this piece in 2017, transforming what could have been just another concrete structure into a powerful piece of public art. The project was commissioned by the Shire of Collie and Water Corporation as part of the PUBLIC Silo Trail, using historical photographs as reference material to capture authentic scenes from the area's past.
What strikes me most is how the artwork brings human scale to such a massive piece of infrastructure. Van Helten used black and white photorealistic imagery, which gives the piece a timeless, documentary quality. Standing at the viewing area below, you can make out the details of the workers' faces and clothing, each figure telling part of the region's story.
The Wellington Dam itself has been providing water to the area since 1933, so there's nearly a century of history here. Now, with this stunning mural, that history is visible to everyone who visits. It's become quite the drawcard for the region – and rightly so.
We spent a good half hour here, me taking photographs from different angles to capture the scale, while Lisa read through the information boards explaining the historical significance. It's these unexpected discoveries that make travelling through regional Australia so rewarding. You come for the scenery, and you leave with stories about the people who built this country.
If you're in the area, this is definitely worth the detour. The dam wall art is visible any time, and there's good parking for larger rigs like ours.