Community
27 August, 2025
Hampden P-12 gets artsy
AN ART exhibition currently on display at the Cobden Visitor Information Centre features artwork from Year 7-9 students at Hampden P-12 School.
The exhibition, titled Paint the Shire, officially opened yesterday (Tuesday, August 26) and will remain for two weeks before travelling around Corangamite, being displayed at libraries across the shire.
Hampden P-12 School art teacher Natasha Togni said the students worked hard to create art pieces which fit the theme of the exhibition.
“Everyone was asked to paint somewhere in the shire where they either enjoy being or seeing; somewhere that they see on the bus ride, somewhere they might see on the day-to-day, or where they enjoy spending time,” she said.
“It could be their home, or some of them chose somewhere special like the Noorat Show, or Mount Noorat, or the lake, or somewhere else that they like visiting.
“They’ve also done a self-portrait.”
Student Kye Rumble said he painted the Noorat Show because of how much fun he’s had there.
“I like it because it’s fun and there’s heaps of cattle,” he said.
“I show cattle at Noorat.
“I came first, second, third and I got the Brownlow for jersey cows.”
Izayah Dixon said he painted the Terang post office and was very focused on the power lines which he included in the background, while Jesse Smith-Watts chose Mount Noorat for its colours.
“I chose Mount Noorat because it looks really colourful,” Jesse said.
“The track is really nice to walk on as well.”
Caleb Rogers and Gabrielle Scott both painted familiar scenes in Camperdown.
“I’ve been drawing the sweet gifts at Camperdown,” Caleb said.
“The owner in there I actually know because he is my godfather.
“Every time it’s my birthday he gives me something for free.
“My brother and I always go down there to get lollies.”
Gabrielle painted the iconic Camperdown clock tower.
“I like that some days you can actually go into the clock tower and go to the top,” she said.
“When you hear the bell it’s so loud in your ears.
“I looked at real pictures of it to get the colour.
“I also did the road behind it because it’s based on the real thing and I know the road stretches around the clock tower.”
Mackenzie Gurry painted the Terang Library and said she liked to see it when driving into Terang.
“I chose the Terang Library because I like all the different variety of books, because they have books for children of all different ages and also because I’ve read lots of books from there and they’re very nice books to read,” she said.
“When you drive into Terang you can see it and it’s always very nice to see it.”
Positive ageing, access and inclusion officer Patrick Caruana said the exhibition came to life thanks to ongoing collaboration with Hampden P-12 School.
“We’ve established a connection with Hampden P-12 over the last few years with different art projects,” he said.
“I wanted to do something for the Middle Years students.
“In other rural towns they have moveable art galleries and festivals.
“I discussed with the school and Natasha Togni, the art teacher, was able to create a focal point for the students, which was Paint the Shire.
“From that, over the last few months, she’s worked with the students and we’ve come up with a beautiful exhibition.”
To see where Paint the Shire will head to next, keep an eye on the Corangamite Shire Council website.