In the spirit of celebrating community resilience, Summerland Bank is excited to announce our sponsorship of a new mural in Lismore, NSW, dedicated to the Tinnie Army. This mural, a collaborative effort led by the Back Alley Gallery, will stand as a tribute to the incredible unity and resilience displayed during the 2022 floods.
The mural will grace the wall of the Hotel Metropole on Larkin Lane, a significant 49-metre canvas in the city’s heart. The project was sparked by Dr. Bridie Cullinane, founder of the Green Innovation Awards, who envisioned a public artwork honouring the Tinnie Army’s heroic efforts.
Our CEO, John Williams, expressed his pride in being part of this project, stating, “As a local bank, we deeply value our community and its resilience. This mural is a tribute to the Tinnie Army and their heroic actions during the 2022 floods.”
Photo credit: The Back Alley Gallery
Photo credit: The Back Alley Gallery
Photo credit: The Back Alley Gallery
The mural will not only be a testament to the past, but a beacon for the future. While street art may have a shelf life, this mural, like the spirit it represents, is intended to endure. It will extend Lismore’s Back Alley Gallery beyond Carrington Street, starting at the ‘Hands’ sculpture, a piece co-created by Holly Ahern, one of the lead artists working on the Tinnie Army mural.
The project has already received an overwhelming response from local schools, with students submitting artwork inspired by the Tinnie Army. These heartfelt expressions of gratitude from our younger community members are a welcome addition to the narrative and will also be incorporated into the mural.
The mural will provide an ongoing opportunity for community members to contribute their messages, creating a living testament to this community’s resilience. This mural is not a memorial; it is a celebration. It is a celebration of our community’s strength, unity, and the extraordinary efforts made to be there for one another during the floods. Those involved in the rescue operations do not seek recognition; they simply did what they believed anyone would do in the same situation. “This mural is our way of saying, ‘we see you, and we thank you.’” says Ahern.
The mural will be unveiled on Saturday, August 3, 2024, in celebration with our community and everyone is welcome.
