A local historian is searching for answers regarding the now-inaccessible Geelong Mural.
For three decades, Colin Mockett OAM has been taking tour groups to view the astounding and historically significant Geelong Mural, displayed in the foyer of the state government building on Little Malop Street.
But over recent years, the governmental guardians of the building have, bit by bit, reduced public access.
The historical artwork, created by state artist Harold Freedman and his team in the 1970s, depicts the history of Geelong, from images of the Wathaurong people before European colonisation to an imagined multicultural future.
With more than 1 million tiles, the mosaic work is two metres high and stretches 32 metres across the foyer.
It is now completely hidden behind large white boards, and despite “days on the phone” to Spring Street, Mr Mockett has not received any information why this is the case.
“The building used to be under the control of the finance department of the state government; sometime last year it moved from the responsibility of the finance department to the transport department,” Mr Mockett said.
“And they’re the ones who have said, we are not going to allow people to come in and see the mural. Somebody in that department came up with the concept of covering the whole thing up with white boards.
“My real annoyance with the whole thing was that nobody would tell me, or anybody, why they were doing it.
“It’s Geelong’s most important artwork. And yet, it’s been taken away by a literally faceless department of our own state government.”
This year, Mr Mockett sought the help of both Mayor Stretch Kontelj and member for Geelong Christine Couzens. Both were “very much sympathetic”, but they have been unable to give him any answers.
But there may be light on the horizon for the Geelong Mural.
“There are security issues that are being worked through, and I’m still dealing with the department to try to come to some resolution, but I haven’t got to that point yet,” Ms Couzens said.
“I’m still advocating to see what can be done, but it’s very much a security issue.”
The City of Greater Geelong, the Department of Transport and the Department of Premier and Cabinet were contacted for comment.
