Using over 120 litres of paint applied to the murals with images connected by the flowing Murrumbidgee River, the outcome is an incredible sight to behold. With the best view across town, visitors and residents are able to head to the water tower and immerse themselves in a visual collection of landmarks, activities, flora and fauna. The stories behind the design include significate icons for the local community with the colours inspired by our local environment including the colours of sunsets viewed from this site.
The Lizard represents the name Narrandera, derived from Narrungdera, the name of the Wiradjuri clan that inhabited the land where the town now rests, meaning ‘place of many lizards’ (Eastern Bearded Dragon).
The Koala represents the reserve established by the community in 1972 on the edge of the town on the Murrumbidgee River. A tiny number of Koalas were introduced and have grown into a healthy population of many hundreds now inhabiting riverside forests more than 100km from Narrandera.
The Tiger Moth Airplane represents the No 8 Elementary Flight Training School established on the site of the present Narrandera airport during World War II while the Paddle Steamer remembers the many steamers which were a frequent sight on the Murrumbidgee River from 1858. The 75 tonne PS Wagga Wagga carried wool and stores between Narrandera and Hay for 40 years.
The landmark Oakbank Brewery Tower stands 30m high on the north bank of the Murrumbidgee River. The river has many stories to tell of Wiradjuri survival, colonial settlement, development of farming and irrigation.