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Wagin’s famous ‘Bart’ gets a touch up

Emma TaylorNarrogin Observer
Mick Mijatovic and Angelo Ricci.
Camera IconMick Mijatovic and Angelo Ricci. Credit: Shire of Wagin/Shire of Wagin

Wagin’s iconic giant ram Bart has received a much-needed lick of paint.

Shire of Wagin deputy chief executive Brian Roderick said it was a unique paint job, taking a week to complete.

The mammoth task fell on painters Mick Mijatovic and Angelo Ricci.

“There were some difficulties. We had to get a knuckle boom crane to get up that 13m and be able to paint Bart,” Mr Roderick said.

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It has been eight years since Bart received a fresh coat of paint.

Bart gets a fresh coat of paint
Camera IconBart gets a fresh coat of paint

“It actually took them two days just to clean him,” Mr Roderick said.

“Over those eight years, a lot of mould and dirt had built up, so the first two days was spent just getting him primed to be painted.”

Mr Roderick said the painters aimed to make Bart look as much like his original form as possible, which meant getting the correct colours, facial features and horns, which were hand painted by Mr Mijatovic.

The finished product
Camera IconThe finished product

“The Wagin community are really rapt; people have said he looks great,” he said.

“Bart is iconic to Wagin. It’s incredibly important that he’s around for a long time and is looking his best.”

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