Bill & Toby - MG Trading

MURAL Bill & Toby - MG Trading

MURAL LOCATION – 39 Commercial Road Yarram 3971 

ABOUT MG TRADING YARRAM – MG Trading is a supplier of rural merchandise; it caters for all farming needs with a specific focus on dairy requirements. The Yarram store employs seven people with another two being employed in our fertiliser business.

WHY I BECAME INVOLVED – “I have been with the company for 22 years the last 15 as store manager. We believe that the store is integral to the farming community carrying a huge range of products and the ability to source most requirements big or small. When first approached to be part of the Heesco town concept we were most appreciative, as myself, my staff and the company thought it was a fantastic idea. We have all seen what a difference it has made to other small rural towns who have embraced the concept. Many small towns like Yarram are looking for ways to attract more tourists and having the murals in various locations throughout the town, will hopefully help to achieve this goal. The original mural design was presented to us by Wayne, and we were asked to select a local person that typifies our business. Bill McKenzie was chosen as he has been involved with the Company for over fifty years, Bill was tanker driver for Murray Goulburn for a number of years, he also worked at the Trading Store as a delivery driver. Bill and Marg are dairy farmers who have always supplied their milk to the one company, for many years it was Murray Goulburn and of course more recently Saputo Dairy Australia. Bill has just recently retired from dairying but is still a great supporter of the store. The mural that has been created at the Northern entrance to Yarram is an outstanding welcome and will hopefully help to draw many visitors. Heesco has done an outstanding job bringing to life one of the districts outstanding characters along with a very handsome Border collie named Toby. We would like to thank Eric Greenaway for instigating the idea, Wayne Tindall for all his logistical work and of course Heesco who created sheer magic out of it all!” Jason Hobson , Store Manager

THE MURAL DESIGN – “I asked Bill to come in for a photo to gather some images for a design for MG Yarram. The idea was to create an iconic dairy industry image that would light up people as they approach Yarram from the north. Bill was very obliging but Jason’s dog Toby needed to be at a level so we could see both him and Bill. We ended up grabbing a couple of bales of hay and popping Toby up next to Bill. He was much appreciative at the effort we had all gone to and turned to give Bill a kiss on the cheek. That was just the right shot and said it all for me.

When Heesco was nearing completion of this masterpiece, Bill turned up to inspect the progress. In a typically understated country manner, he stated…’it’s getting better!’ (I’ve heard a whisper that now it’s finished he is delighted and immensely proud to be featured in this monumental painting)”. Wayne Tindall – Artist/film maker