Agitators are not always rebel-rousers
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389849)
Rockingham, Australia
August 28, 2026 8:40pm CST
Lightning Ridge in Australia is an opal-mining town and is situated in northern New South Wales, just south of the Queensland border. Now, acclaimed artist, John Murray, is inviting street artists to travel there to paint on abandoned agitators which were once used in processing opals. These mixing drums are like giant cement mixers and were used to sift soil on opal mines.
Visiting artists are given food and accommodation for four nights plus financial assistance towards fuel costs. When the twenty agitators are finished, they’ll be displayed complete with a QR code that gives the name of the donor (of the drum) and the artist. There are no restrictions on what the artists paint and both men and women will have the chance to paint the drums.
I can’t copy the photos but I’d encourage you to have a look at the article. One shows a yabby or fresh-water crayfish. Another is painted in the iridescent colours that opals are renowned for. The link is: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-29/john-murray-lightning-ridge-street-art-opal-mining/106995942
The photo is mine of some street art in one of our towns. You've seen it before but I just love it.
17 people like this
19 responses
@crossbones27 (54072)
• Mojave, California
29 Aug
So you are saying they exploiting ancient traditions for money?
4 people like this
@crossbones27 (54072)
• Mojave, California
1 Sep
@JudyEv Good answer, see get I get so cynical in our country because it has become so corrupt. I will take your word because you sound like a genuine person.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (389849)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep
@crossbones27 Thank you. I do think there is more and more corruption happening in our country but I don't believe that is the case here.
@teamfreak16 (48088)
• Denver, Colorado
29 Aug
Those are great! There seems to be a lot of love for mural art on this site. I like it!
3 people like this
@nawala123 (24423)
• Indonesia
29 Aug
Just like in my country some tin mining was changed into tourism object. Sometimes what in the past can be explored into different thing in the future
4 people like this
@nawala123 (24423)
• Indonesia
30 Aug
@JudyEv at least the place still make "life" for people
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (194963)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Aug
Very talented painter. Street art is really something. I'm glad ABC is choosing to cover them.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17323)
• China
29 Aug
The street artists endow the abandoned agitators with life. The opal-mining town will become a popular tourist destination.
3 people like this
@moffittjc (128585)
• Gainesville, Florida
30 Aug
I love the mural in the photo! And I love that there is so much art in your country!
Is the opal mining industry still active? How come there are so many abandoned/closed agitators?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (128585)
• Gainesville, Florida
3 Sep
@JudyEv That makes sense. Do they have any areas around there for the public to try their luck at digging up some opals?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (389849)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Sep
@moffittjc Some towns have areas where the public fan fossick for opals but mostly you'd need a licence to peg out a claim.
1 person likes this
@garymarsh6 (24176)
• United Kingdom
29 Aug
I love street art that otherwise brightens up ugly buildings.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (389849)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Aug
Once there is some attractive art on the walls, the graffiti artists tend to leave it alone.
