The long-awaited Bridge Art Project gallery has come one step closer to completion. Pictured are Murray River Council Mayor John Harvie and Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell turning the site’s first sod.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
After 14 long years, the first sod has been turned at the Bridge Art Project’s gallery in Moama, marking a significant step towards construction.
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Project committee members, stakeholders and councillors from both sides of the river attended a ceremony to mark the occasion on Wednesday, November 5.
Following a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country by Uncle Rick Ronnan, Bridge Art Project chair Chris Bilkey addressed the crowd.
Only half-joking, Mr Bilkey compared the timeline of the gallery’s construction to that of the new bridge in Moama.
“This is a very pivotal landmark in completing the build for the gallery,” he said.
“We are over the hump in terms of planning, and we are now moving into the construction phase.
“That makes us very optimistic about getting this gallery built by the end of June next year.”
Bridge Art Project committee members (back) Teresa Carlson, Christine Sebire, Kerry-Anne Jones, secretary Lynne Gillard, (front) Barry Donchi, chair Chris Bilkey and Carina Doolan.
Photo by
Ryan Bellingham
Modular builder PreBuilt has designed the gallery, and is currently constructing its modules at its Melbourne factory.
The gallery will be composed of 11 modules which, once completed, will be transported to the Meninya St site next year.
Upon opening, the gallery will feature two exhibition spaces, indoor and outdoor event spaces, a café and gift shop, and a community activity room.
A raised pedestrian walkway will connect the gallery to 17ha of riverine forest at the property’s rear, which is being donated as an arts and cultural space alongside the Murray River.
The walkway will highlight Indigenous history, and put a spotlight on native flora and fauna.
Mr Bilkey and Barry Donchi are the only remaining founding committee members, and each felt as though they had run a marathon to get the project to this point.
“It’s a bit like climbing a mountain, too — we’re finally very close to the top,” Mr Bilkey said.
“We’ll wave the flag at the top when the building’s complete.”
Murray River Council Mayor John Harvie praised the committee’s dedication, and said the gallery was set to be a drawcard for visitors.
The project comes amid substantial growth in Moama, which Cr Harvie said was projected to continue in coming years.
“It’s the icing on the cake for Moama, as far as I’m concerned,” he said.
“What they’re doing here is just absolutely wonderful for our community, and for the wider region.”
The gallery site was purchased by the Bridge Art Project committee in 2020, with help from community members, local organisations and government grants.
Cr Harvie said the generosity of residents who had donated both money and time to the project was “amazing”.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell also commended the committee’s devotion to the project, which he expected to be a boon for the twin towns.
“It’s really going to help this whole section for Moama, which then helps us at Campaspe,” he said.
“We’re connected by the bridge, but we’re also connected by the people.”
Mr Bilkey encouraged the Echuca-Moama community to join the Bridge Art Project’s volunteer base, or to sign up as a member.
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