THE water tank at Redesdale's Agnes Mudford Reserve has been transformed into a work of art.
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A mural marking the 10th anniversary of Black Saturday serves as a representation of the community's resilience.
Ideas for the piece, which runs around the tank's side, were drawn from the community's experiences.
"We wanted something everyone could look at and connect to in some way," Kym De Lany, of Redesdale and District Association, said.
She was struck by how much the project had meant to people.
About 100 people attended Friday's mural unveiling. They included Country Fire Authority members from Redesdale and Heathcote, Forest Fire Management Victoria personnel, school children, community groups and community members.
All three levels of government were represented, with Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters, Member for Euroa Steph Ryan, and Greater Bendigo mayor Margaret O'Rourke among the dignitaries.
Ms De Lany recalled image maker Damien Arena's observation from the project's community consultation period.
He had told her so many people were keen to talk about what they wanted from the mural.
"They really care," Arena, who was present during Friday's unveiling, had told Ms De Lany.
Regional Arts Victoria's Joe Toohey spoke about the organisation's support for the project, which was considered worthy of funding partially because it encouraged people to share their stories.
"That is the way you build and maintain empathy in communities," Mr Toohey said.
"It is important to be continuing to tell these stories."
Arena said he wanted to show in the mural a sense of the whole community, not just showing a fire happening or someone from Redesdale in the aftermath.
"I wanted to show what it meant to be part of a community like this."
He said the consultation period had shown him how quickly the community had come together after Black Saturday.
After all the consultation and planning, the mural was completed in about three days.
Arena was hopeful it would be part of the community for many years to come.
A total of 7086 hectares burned in Redesdale on Black Saturday. Fourteen homes were destroyed.
"It's a day no-one will ever, ever forget," Member for Euroa, Steph Ryan said.
"For some people 10 years is the blink of an eye and for others it's an eternity."
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