The Trentham Mural is a salute to the past. In commemoration of the soldiers who have served and will serve in the military and their families. Also the community and the role the military plays in it. I had the pleasure of working alongside NZ defense force artist Captain Matt Gauldie in the creation and installation of this 11m mural.
Although Trentham began as an Army Camp it includes the Army, Navy and Air force who are now combined to make up NZ Defence Force.
The different parts of the mural tell the story Trentham has played in NZ history. The Mural reads form left to right, Past to the future.
Out in front, free standing, is soldier on horse back. Horses played a major part in Trentham history in WW1 and were one of Trenthams contributions, to Gallipoli in particular. They marched from Upper Hutt into Wellington and then were shipped of the other side of the world, many never to return. As you follow the mural along you will see more soldiers and guns from this era, also the tents, Trentham was a “Tent city” at this time. A new and under developed camp
Central in the mural is The Clock tower a building which was standing then and still is today, one of the oldest buildings on the camp. In front of this is a young WW2 soldier and his family who are fairwelling him. The proud father, star stuck little brother in Navy clothes and worried mother and sister.
Moving on and into current times is a LAV (not a tank… I have been told many times there is a difference ) Light Armored Vehicle. Above is a helicopter.
Finishing with a modern day soldier who looks to the left and salutes those who played a part in the story before him and a modern day female soldier looking right to the future of the camp.