History, Art & Community in Victoria’s North East
Devenish is a quiet rural town located approximately 230 kilometers north of Melbourne, within the Rural City of Benalla. Surrounded by open farmland and shaped by generations of agricultural life, Devenish is also home to one of Victoria’s most powerful examples of silo art — a lasting tribute to community, service, and creativity.
A Town with Deep Roots
Originally part of the Major Plains district, Devenish’s European history began in the 1840s with pastoral occupation. By the early 1870s, selectors had begun settling the land, and the parish of Devenish was formally established in 1873. The opening of the post office (initially called Broken Creek) in 1877, followed by the arrival of the railway in 1883, helped transform Devenish into a small but thriving farming township.
The Devenish Silo Art – Honouring Service
The town’s most iconic landmark is its silo art, part of the larger North East Victoria Silo Art Trail. Painted in 2018 by Melbourne artist Cam Scale, the murals span two concrete grain silos and serve as a powerful memorial to the town’s military service.
During World War I, fifty young men and women from Devenish enlisted — an extraordinary contribution from a community of only a few hundred people at the time. The murals reflect this history through two striking figures:
-
A World War I nurse, honouring the vital role of women in the war effort
-
A modern-day combat medic, representing the continued service and sacrifice of the Australian Defence Force
These large-scale portraits have transformed Devenish’s skyline and put the town on the map as a must-see stop along Victoria’s growing silo art network.
Rural Charm & Community Spirit
Agriculture has long been the backbone of Devenish. Its concrete grain silos began receiving wheat in 1943, and a bulk oat facility was added in 1965 — both reminders of the town’s role in regional food production.
Devenish also hosted the Australian Hot Air Balloon Championships in 2007, further showcasing its capacity to bring people together through shared experience and country hospitality.
A Creative Stop on the Art Trail
With its powerful public art, proud heritage, and open skies, Devenish offers visitors a moment of reflection, connection, and inspiration. It’s a small town with a big story — and a striking visual legacy that continues to speak to generations past and present.