POWER poles around Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens have gone from dull to delightful, as the Myall River Art Walk Group continues its beautification of the area.

Several wooden poles along Marine Drive, Tea Gardens, as well as numerous posts near the river on the Hawks Nest side, have been graced with vivid interpretations of local flora, fauna, and sea life, as per the talent of art group leader Jeanette Hart.

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“We got permission from Essential Energy several years ago to paint some poles, beautify the area a little bit,” Ms Hart told News Of The Area.

“This time we have been allowed to touch up and beautify several more poles, the idea is to celebrate through art what’s special about the local area.”

Many of the painted images are of flannel flowers, which are endemic to the region, as well as local fish, including bream and banjo sharks.

The cormorants now roosting upon the pole at the corner of Kingfisher Ave and Dolphin St are a design created by local Gale Rust, whom Ms Hart assisted in transposing the image to the outdoor feature.

Essential Energy has, says Ms Hart, even sought to include images of the newly-painted poles on their social media sites.

For any who may haphazardly presume an excess cost associated with the Art Walk Group’s endeavours, Ms Hart has advised NOTA that some of the paints were from existing supplies, while others were donated to the group, or bought with Myall River Art Walk money.

“Any donations of outdoor paints would be greatly appreciated, as the Myall River Art Walk Group is a volunteer organisation,” Ms Hart added.

A soon-to-be begun future project involves transposing a big mural including whales and other sea life onto the big, blank wall on the western side of the former SLSC toilet block at Bennetts Beach.

By Thomas O’KEEFE