Early in 1985, the Riverland Cultural Trust applied to the Community Arts Board to create a series of murals in the Riverland. The suggested theme of the murals had a focus on the fruit growing industry. As at this time that Berrivale Orchards was taking over the cannery.

A committee comprising of Mark Lawrence (federal research officer for the Food Preservers Union), Vince Smith (Berrivale Orchards representative), David Harwood (grower representative of the Riverland Fruit Liaison Committee) and Mr Greg Reeks (Riverland Cultural Trust) worked together to cost, supervise and employ a full time coordinator and assistant to carry out the project. Bob Jankowski and Carol-Anne Harris were appointed as the coordinator and assistant respectively.

Funding of $17,600 was sourced for the project from the Community Arts Board, United Trades and Labour Council, Arts Council of SA, Riverland Cultural Trust, Berrivale Orchards and SA Arts Department.

The mural, just on the outskirts of Berri on the old Sturt Highway, was six metres high and seventy five metres wide, depicted the history of the Riverland's fruit industry from the pioneering days of the Chaffey Brothers and paddle steamers through to the present day. It also featured a time chart, from Indigenous history to the present and future. Coordinator Bob Jankowski described to the Murray Pioneer in 1986 that the final design was a chocolate box of ideas that would offend no one. The mural was divided into six panels

People came from all over the Riverland to paint including approximately 150 people school groups, tourists, cannery staff, service club members and local artists..

"We had little [children] come along and they did all the groundwork, so they didn't have to go climbing up any scaffolding," co-designer Bob Jankowski said.

"We had all the way through to elderly citizens and everybody in between.

The mural was completed in December 1985, with an official opening by former South Australian Premier (1970-1979) Mr Don Dunstan held in February 1986.

Berri Barmera Council has always kept in mind the community significance of the mural and from when the cannery closed and purchased by a private investor Council held discussions with the private investor ensuring consideration could be made about the future of the mural in the case the mural may be removed.

Unfortunately this was the case in  late July 2021, with the site scheduled for commercial development and the mural requiring to be dismantled. Council considered the re-location of the mural, but due to the size and cost in relocating the mural decided to instead capture the mural via a professional photographer.

The designer of the works, Mr Jankowski who now resides in Mildura advised that he was understanding of the mural's deconstruction after 35 years on display.

"It would have been nice to see it moved, but logistically it was huge challenge and you'd need a very specialised team to deconstruct it without damaging it," said Mr Jankowksi

To maintain history of the mural, Council engaged local photographer, Chad Vigar, to capture the mural so that it could live on in visual form and maintain part of Berri’s history.

SUBMIT YOUR MEMORIES

Council's Community Development staff are currently exploring options to give these images further exposure as a new piece of public art using digital technologies. If you have an idea and are interested in assisting to progress the concept, we would also like to hear from you. Alternatively if you have more information and/or photos that you are happy to be included on this webpage, please complete the form below.