Honouring Arnold Playle: New mural celebrates a local legend in Corryong
A striking new mural on the western wall of the Corryong Pharmacy is turning heads and warming hearts, as the community comes together to celebrate the life and legacy of Arnold Playle – an iconic figure in the Upper Murray’s rich history. Created by acclaimed artist Alex Sugar, the mural beautifully captures Arnold’s contribution as a pioneering photographer whose work documented life across the Upper Murray in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Arnold’s legacy continues to thrive through his many descendants who still call the Upper Murray home, including his grandson John Whitehead, a respected member of the Corryong community known for his work in farming, and his great grandson Mark Whitehead, who has brought Arnold’s original glass plate images into the digital age with stunning clarity and detail.
“Arnold Playle, as an early photographer, left an amazing legacy for the Upper Murray community with his set of glass plates taken in the late 1890s and early 1900s,” said Marilyn from the Project Steering Group. “It’s exciting that Arnold has been honoured with the mural on the pharmacy wall. Alex Sugar has created an exceptional artwork of Arnold alongside one of his original photos.”
This mural is part of a broader initiative to celebrate the Upper Murray’s heritage through public art, and the excitement is building as Alex Sugar continues work on a second mural in Hanson Street. Locals and visitors alike are eagerly anticipating its completion, which promises to be another captivating tribute to the Upper Murray.
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