A Federation Museum masterpiece

But as of last Saturday, a twice-the-size painting, both length and height wise of that Shearing the Rams painting, is in mural format right in the heart of Corowa, at the impressive Federation Museum.

Prepared by Barnawartha artist Tracy Hancock, the 3.6m x 2.5m mural was unveiled by Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke, upon the 130th anniversary of Tom Roberts’s iconic painting.

“I thank Tom Roberts for painting such a masterpiece and Federation Museum for letting me give my own impression and creation as my version of it,” Tracy said after the unveiling.

“It was a challenge. I had my days, praying a lot. There’s a lot of God in the painting!

“I just want people to get enjoyment from it and form their own views and opinions, and hope it enhances Corowa.”  

The mural was made possible by a generous bequest from the Estate of the late Tim Fischer AC. Tracy’s hope that the mural will enhance Corowa is undoubted according to Corowa District Historical Society (CDHS) President Alan New and will only become increasingly popular when the second stage of museum works take place.

What happened last Saturday was the first stage of actioning Tim’s bequest. COVID-19 restrictions have delayed the proposed new inside the museum Shearing the Rams display.

“When complete, I can assure you it will be an impressive and appropriate memorial to Tim,” Mr New said. 

“Information about Tom Roberts , his paintings in this area, people in Shearing the Rams – this will be stage two in the not too distant future.”

The historical society president welcomed the special invitees to last Saturday’s event – special invitees due to COVID-19 restrictions – and to the people outside the museum grounds keen to witness the unveiling at the rear of the museum building.

Mr New explained the CDHS had a clear 2020 vision regarding two significant topics: the 130-year milestone of the iconic Shearing the Rams painting in the woolshed 16kms from Corowa on what is now Killeneen on Tom Roberts Road, then Brocklesby Station woolshed, and secondly the Tim Fischer bequest to the museum.

“Plans went ahead with our enthusiastic committee with an A4 page of things listed ensuring it would be ‘bigger than Ben Hur!’ – blade shearing, concert, lecture, talk from art historian, main street activities, golf tournament, race meeting, etcetera,” Mr New said.

“We contacted descendants/relatives of those in the painting about today, then COVID came and most cancelled. But we do have Robyn Sharman Hawking here today.”

Choosing the artist for the task was easy, the president explained, after CDHS members enquired about the person who painted the “very impressive” mural at Howlong, a landscape of the Murray River, which of course, was Tracy.

Stage two works at the museum will include most informative history of the Tom Roberts connection by descendant Robyn who was called to the microphone by Mr New.

“Shearing the Rams is special to our family as we have always known of our family’s connection with the second shearer Jack Wise, fourth from the left,” she said.

Robyn then explained in 2017 another connection was made to Jim Coffey, the shearer third from the left, who the family believes was a great uncle Samuel James Coffey and to whom may have been called ‘Jim’ by the men in the shearing shed. Robyn has written such an interesting article on the subject which is on display at the CDHS museum. She expressed her gratitude for the choice of painting on the mural. 

Last Saturday’s unveiling event was impeccably organised by Corowa District Society members which also included historical society’s publicity officer Lesley New presenting knitted miniature woolen replicas of sheep to Tracy and Robyn to remember the special occasion.