Wonthaggi’s master muralist leaves lasting memories

WONTHAGGI artist and painter of 40 or more murals around the Gippsland region, Dennis Leversha, has died aged 79.

But he has certainly left his mark.

Many will recall seeing the tiger moth flying out of the frame near Mirboo North’s BP petrol station, the iconic painting outside the Bullock Dray Café, and another setting the scene at the old Mirboo North Garage with an FJ Holden car up on the hoist.

But perhaps his best-known outdoor work locally adorns the two façades at Cargill’s Sports Store right in the centre of Wonthaggi, depicting a community steam-train ride to Kilcunda for a miners’ picnic.

While that painting remains, we’ll never forget Dennis Leversha.

As a student, Dennis completed a Diploma of Fine Art (Painting) at RMIT but before he was given his qualification as a teacher, he had to complete two years in industry which led him to play a role in the design of the FLICK pest control logo, with obvious sensitivities until a large white dot was placed over the ‘i’ following the unveiling of a large neon sign.

He also worked as a painter of stage scenery at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne, later lending his skills to theatre companies locally, getting to meet the likes of June Bronhill, Frank Thring, Tex Morgan and even Marlene Dietrich along the way.

Ultimately though, he did qualify as a technical teacher in art, starting out at the Preston East Tech, Swan Hill, then Sale, but mostly at the Wonthaggi Tech School, teaching there from 1972 until 1991, and living 46 years in the town, together with wife Bev, with whom he welcomed three children, two boys Ben and Nathan and a daughter Jacinta. There are now eight grandchildren.

A member of the Bass Coast Artists Society, the Bass Coast Historical Society and ArtSpace Wonthaggi, Dennis staged only one exhibition of his own works, at Fish Creek’s Geeko Gallery about 15 years ago, but featured in many art shows and combined exhibitions over the years.

Following his passing there may need to be a retrospective.

There will be no public funeral, the family is making private arrangements.