Kamilaroi artist and gallery curator, Kylie McNamara, has designed 11 75cm square panels to be laser‐cut and then welded into the centre of each fence section. She has used local grasses as her inspiration and especially those that have been familiar to Kamilaroi people over centuries. Some of the grasses have been used as medical treatments. Others were made into utilitarian objects, such as the binding of spear and axe handles.

Chairman Hugh Livingston (pictured below) said the fence, when complete, would be a tourist attraction, a source of pride for the local Kamilaroi community and would integrate extremely well with the gallery’s 1911 architecture. “The gallery’s building fund is pay for the project. This fund has been accumulated over the past few years from fundraising functions and the backing of dedicated gallery supporters.”

Meanwhile, in the gallery garden is a 1910 free-standing, timber garage that had not been used for many years, but is suitable for converting into a studio space for the gallery’s artists‐in‐residence program. It is one of the earliest garages in the region and was built at the same time as the gallery. The garage timber and roof had become dilapidated.

Director Katrina Rumley said in converting the structure to a studio it was planned to add a covered porch which would extend into the garden. This would add space to the studio, and encourage visitors to the gallery and garden to sit and eat lunch or just to relax and enjoy the grounds.