Mural production at the Lodge Outback Motel 252 Mica St, Broken Hill Lisa King is an artist and Illustrator dedicated to figurative portraiture. Her rich and stylish works cross over various mediums including oil, acrylic and aerosol with a primary pull towards Large Scale Mural work. She is influenced by indie & Pop culture and has been labelled 'colourfully angelic yet seemingly dark'. She has been recognised locally and internationally as a fast-emerging painter and street artist. Lisa is artist in residence at the Broken Hill Art Exchange to produce a mural for the Desert Equinox Earth Prelude, honouring the Lodge Outback Motel and Dr William MacGillivray who built the dwelling, circa 1904. Dr MacGillivray was a passionate Ornithologist wherefore elements such as local native birds & fauna are the inspiration for the mural.
MacGillivray’s building on the corner of Mica and Chloride Street was originally the first stone and iron roofed house in Broken Hill. At its completion, it was a very large majestic L shaped house with an enclosed turret, maid’s quarters and spectacular gardens with many aviaries together with a private zoo. MacGillivray earnestly studied ornithology throughout his school days and began medical studies at the University of Melbourne in 1886. In February 1920, the Barrier Field Naturalist Club Broken Hill was formed to promote and encourage interest in all forms of natural history. MacGillivray held the position of president at the club from its inauguration and until his death in 1933. Through the medium of the Barrier Field Naturalists he helped instigate the preservation of Aboriginal rock pecking’s and ochre stencils at MutawintjiNational Park near Broken Hill and the Trust was established in 1927 with Tom Dow and Albert Morris. MacGillivray became honorary ornithologist and naturalist to scientific expeditions to the Great Barrier Reef in 1929.
MacGillivray’s daughter Jean with her mother Hilda
He was affectionately known as ‘Dr Mac’ and died 25 June 1933. In his memory, a drive of trees was planted as well as Stone cairns erected, one of cairns is situated in MacGillivray Drive, Broken Hill.
The mural by Lisa King resonates with the historical photograph situated in the foyer of the Lodge Outback Motel of MacGillivray’s daughter Jean with her mother Hilda (nee Eccles). William MacGillivray married twice. His first marriage was to Ida, who died prematurely in 1906. They had a son Ian and daughter Marjorie, who were both born at the Lodge. Sadly Marjorie lived only for a couple of months.