The artwork around the water tower depicts the important role that Uranquinty played during the Second World War. Uranquinty 55 Service Flying Training School was one of eight SFTS set up by the RAAF to provide intermediate and advanced flight training as part of Australia’s contribution to the Empire Air Training Scheme which was the largest single aviation training program in history.
The southwestern side of the tower depicts three women from the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force (WAAAF) formed in March 1941, working on a Wirraway engine. By 1942 there were 123 airwomen stationed at Uranquinty who carried out flight operations, manned ambulances, fire tenders and, most importantly, flight riggers and airframe inspectors and flight mechanics.
Beside the women is a view of the station buildings, the Uranquinty silos and The Rock. On the north eastern side is a picture of Leonard Victor Waters, the first and only Aboriginal fighter pilot to see action during WW2. He was posted to 78 Squadron and flew 95 missions in his Kittyhawk named “Black Magic”
The water tower was painted over 10 days in February 2023 by the artist, Damien Mitchell, who grew up in Wagga Wagga. It was created using a mix of acrylic ad spray paint and serves as a memorial to the history of the Uranquinty area.
