Three Moon Legend

The Monto Art Trail Project is a community-driven cultural tourism initiative that uses public art, murals, silo art, water tower artworks, painted water tanks, shopfront displays & interpretive storytelling to showcase the people, history, culture & identity of Monto & the Three Moon Country region. The most visible outcome of the project is the Three Moon Silos, which illustrates local versions of the legend of the naming of Three Moon Creek.

The project doesn’t simply tell the story, it actively interprets, preserves, & shares it through multiple forms:

• Large-scale silo art depicting the Three Moon legend & local cultural narratives.
• Aboriginal cultural storytelling, including imagery of an elder sharing stories with younger generations.
• Community engagement, involving local volunteers, artists, historians, schools, elders, & residents in collecting, preserving, & sharing the stories.
• Place-based interpretation, encouraging visitors to explore the landscape, history, & cultural identity of the Three Moon Country region.
• Creation of a lane Artway space for community to gather & be immersed in rural communities.

Beyond the artworks themselves, the project engaged volunteers, local businesses, tourism organisations, artists, first nation people, residents & visitors in discovering & sharing the stories that make the Monto region unique.

The Monto Magic Art Trail is a strong example of this challenge because it demonstrates how local stories can connect people from all backgrounds through creativity, place & shared experiences.

1. It turns local history into a story everyone can experience & preserves cultural narratives: The Trail incorporates First Nations stories, local folklore, farming traditions, migrant influences, historical events & contemporary community life. While the stories originate in Monto, they reflect experiences shared by communities across regional Australia.
2. It strengthens community pride while welcoming visitors: The project gives residents an opportunity to see their own stories reflected in public spaces while inviting visitors to discover the history & character of the region.
3. It demonstrates the power of community-led storytelling: It shows how communities can work together to share their identity, ensuring local knowledge & heritage remain relevant for future generations.

The Monto Magic Art Trail Project showcases how a regional community can tell stories that belong to everyone.

How did this project impact the relevant community?

The Monto Magic Art Trail has had a significant impact on our community by strengthening local pride, preserving important stories, and creating a unique destination that attracts visitors to the region. Through murals, silo art and public artworks, the project has transformed everyday spaces into places of connection, conversation and learning, encouraging both residents and visitors to engage with the history, culture and identity of Three Moon Country.

The project has brought people together around a shared vision, involving volunteers, local organisations, artists, businesses and community members in celebrating what makes Monto special. It has provided opportunities to recognise local stories, honour community members, and showcase the region's First Nations heritage, agricultural roots and unique legends.

The Art Trail has also contributed to the local economy by increasing visitor interest in Monto and encouraging travellers to spend more time exploring the town and surrounding attractions. Most importantly, it has created a lasting legacy for future generations, ensuring that local stories, traditions and community identity are preserved and shared in a creative, accessible and engaging way. By telling our story through art, the project has strengthened community connection, inspired pride, and helped position Monto as a vibrant cultural destination.

Supporting Documentation