That’s a wrap! Massive mural completed at Geelong development
31/10/2025The people of Geelong have a lasting, artistic expression of their community following the completion of an 88-metre mural on the Nyaal Banyul development.
The stunning piece of public art is the latest milestone at the major development, which is the centrepiece project of the $676 million Geelong City Deal.
Created by Geelong-born and internationally acclaimed artist Rone, the mural features the faces of 14 locals with a connection to Wadawurrung history and the community’s changing and evolving storyline.
Seven people from across Wadawurrung family lines are featured, including three-year-old Wadawurrung Girl, Asta Templeton, continuing a celebration of Wadawurrung Culture that is expressed throughout the Nyaal Banyul project.
The mural also features nine-year-old Benji Hawkes-Sutton, an avid fan of art – especially the work of Rone, whose exhibitions he has previously travelled to see. And 18-year-old Malik Davis, a basketballer about to embark on an international college career that he hopes will take him all over the world.
Further along the mural is Deb de Boer-Smith, born and raised in Geelong, who was drawn back to the city after the arrival of her beautiful daughter. And then there is 88-year-old Ken Mansfield, a familiar face in Geelong who received a Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to the community.
These are some of the people and stories of Geelong that now appear on the Smythe Street side of Nyaal Banyul, which will open to the public in July 2026.
Nyaal Banyul will feature a 1,000-seat plenary hall, two 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.
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.
More than 1,400 jobs have been created during the construction phase of the project, with hundreds of ongoing jobs to be supported once the precinct is operational.
The development is being delivered as a precinct partnership by Development Victoria and the Plenary Conventions consortium, with Plenary Group as sponsor and investor as well as 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 14 people that appear on the mural include (left to right):
- Tilly Mae Cartledge - Wadawurrung family.
- Asta Templeton - Wadawurrung family.
- Benji Hawkes-Sutton - an avid fan of art, especially the work of Rone.
- Katiana Blake - Wadawurrung family.
- Malik Davis - 18-year-old Geelong basketballer about to embark on an international college career.
- Georgia Gordon Rock - Geelong local that attributes the city to where she found her place in the world.
- Susanne Kim - moved to the Surf Coast and started working in Geelong three years ago and hopes her likeness can make people from Asian backgrounds feel more part of the community.
- Danae Koots - Wadawurrung family.
- Deb de Boer-Smith, - returned home to Geelong to raise her daughter after living abroad and interstate.
- Lee Hartman - Wadawurrung family.
- Aunty Joy Oldaker - Wadawurrung family.
- Peter Abbey - connected to the Geelong area from kindergarten to his now fruitful retirement at Waddington Court Supported Independent Living in Geelong.
- Ken Mansfield - member of the local Highton Rotary club for more than 50 years and was awarded an OAM two years ago for his services to the Geelong community.
- Uncle Mel Robinson - Wadawurrung family.