A shipping container, installed near the Monbulk Living and Learning Centre to house essential equipment as part of the Monbulk Resilient Energy Project, will soon be transformed into a vibrant mural reflecting the values and spirit of the local community.
The Monbulk microgrid is a crucial step towards strengthening the town’s energy resilience and will provide emergency power to key community hubs, including the Monbulk Link and the Community Pavilion, ensuring residents can safely access these facilities, charge devices, and find shelter during power outages and emergencies.
In an exciting collaboration, Yarra Ranges Council has worked closely with a panel of community representatives to select a local artist who will work alongside students from the region to design and paint a mural on the container.
Artist George Manioudakis was selected through a panel process that included local representatives from various community groups, such as Mum’s of the Hill’s, MADCOW, Monbulk Girl Guides and Tribe-Monbulk Youth Inc.
One of the key aspects of this project is the opportunity for young people to play a central role in shaping the look of the container, and Tribe-Monbulk Youth Inc Founder, Belinda Grooby, said the project is an opportunity to empower local young people and celebrate their role in shaping the future of Monbulk.
“Young people should play a bigger role when it comes to shaping Monbulk, they are the next generation and have some amazing ideas when it comes to where they live and many want to play a part in decision making for local projects,” she said.
“What happens in the community when we involve young people in decision making is we get much richer and diverse ideas that help to shape future projects.”
Artist George Manioudakis from Mod Murals will be leading the creative side of the project and said he was eager to collaborate with students and help bring their ideas to life in a meaningful and lasting way.
“One of the main reasons I wanted to be involved in the project was the opportunity to engage with the youth and create an artwork they would be proud of,” he said.
“I am really looking forward to mentoring and motivating students by showing them the value in public art, how it can tell stories, spark conversations and its long lasting benefits socially and culturally.”
Yarra Ranges Council Mayor, Jim Child, highlighted the significance of community involvement in shaping the container’s design, ensuring it reflects the town’s identity and shared values.
“This project is about more than just energy resilience—it’s about empowering our young people to tell their stories and leave a lasting mark on their town,” Cr Child said.
“The microgrid ensures Monbulk is better prepared for power outages and emergencies, and now, thanks to this mural, it will also become a symbol of community spirit, creativity and local pride.
The Monbulk Resilient Energy Project is one of several initiatives supported by Yarra Ranges Council to enhance community resilience in the face of increasing storms, power outages, and emergencies and is funded by the Federal Government Preparing Australian Communities Grant.
