Percy Hobson mural gets funding

Councillor Victor Bartley discussing the Percy Hobson mural funding with Minister for Western NSW Adam Marshall, Deputy Premier John Barilaro (far right) and Percy Hobson’s sisters Freda Harvey and Heather Mieni. PHOTO TWH

The proposed Percy Hobson mural on the Bourke water tower is closer to being a reality with a commitment from the Federal government to provide funding and a promise from the State government to chip in with some extra cash.

Councillor Victor Bartley is the driving force behind the mural project, which aims to honour Bourke’s indigenous athlete and Commonwealth Games history-making gold medallist Percy Hobson.

Last Monday, the Bourke Shire Council gave Victor the good news – funding had been approved and the project was now a certainty.

And when NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Western New South Wales Adam Marshall arrived in town last week, Victor wasted no time in also enlisting their support for the plan.

“Last Monday I got the good news from council that funding had come through the Federal government’s Drought Communities Fund, and I am very grateful for that,” he said.

“With Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister Adam Marshall here, I spoke to them and they were very enthusiastic about this project.

“The Deputy Premier said if there was anything he could do to let him know. I said ‘Well, cuz, I might ask for another 10 or 15 thousand dollars to complete the project, and he said no problems, get in touch with my office and I will ensure you get that money’.

“It will mean we can do other things at the site, like seating, shade cloth and a barbecue which gives tourists the chance to stop there, have a rest, have a barbecue and enjoy looking at the mural, and reading up on the achievements of Percy Hobson of Bourke.

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