Creating a lasting piece of public art for Geelong

04/08/2025

A new layer is being added to Geelong’s Nyaal Banyul development, with a vast mural celebrating the local community to be painted on its southern side.

The nearly 90-metre mural will be created by Geelong-born artist Rone, who has developed widespread acclaim for his portfolio of detailed and large-scale outdoor artwork. Locally, this includes at the Powerhouse Station in North Geelong and Provenance Wines in Fyansford.

At the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre, his work will celebrate Geelong and Wadawurrung Traditional Owner culture.

Extending alongside Smythe Street, the mural will feature the faces of 14 locals, celebrating the rich tapestry of experiences and cultures in the area.

Central to this will be figures from the seven Wadawurrung family lines, acknowledging their enduring connection to Country.

Blue ochre will feature, continuing a collaborative approach that makes Nyaal Banyul the first convention centre in Australia designed from inception with Traditional Owners.

This includes the name ‘Nyaal Banyul’, which means 'open your eyes to the hills’. This reflects Geelong’s Western Beach cliffs which are of deep cultural and spiritual significance for Wadawurrung People.

Work on the mural will take around 3 months to finish, while the broader Nyaal Banyul redevelopment will be completed and opened next year.

The redevelopment is creating a 1,000-seat theatre, two large event spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities and flexible event spaces.

It will be home to spaces for food and beverage, a public plaza and a 200-room hotel under the internationally renowned Crowne Plaza brand.

Nyaal Banyul is being delivered as a partnership with the Plenary Conventions consortium, with Plenary Group as a sponsor, investor and hotel and commercial building developer, Built as builder, Woods Bagot as architect and BGIS as facilities manager. The centre will be operated by the Victorian Convention and Event Trust.

The project is funded through the Geelong City Deal, a $676 million investment from the Australian and Victorian governments and City of Greater Geelong to revitalise the city and regional economy through a range of projects.