A series of mosaics depicting the beauty of the village, created with love by local residents, was officially unveiled at the Tomakin Beach toilet block on Friday.

Tomakin’s Art on the Block was two years in the making after former Tomakin Community Association member Judy Baghurst learned Eurobodalla Shire Council was considering replacing the toilet block roof.

Ms Baghurst, who attends a regular mosaic group, thought it an opportune time to spruce up the entire toilet block.

The Tomakin Community Association took on the project, later guided by local artist Kathy McKenzie.

The association asked Mogo Public School students to contribute designs for individual panels and Mrs McKenzie and her merry band of ‘mosaic-ers’ got to work on the Australia Day weekend.

Some seven months later, after 405 hours of cutting, placing and grouting tiles, the mosaics were complete.

The final work comprises small panels of individual mosaics, which range from sea creatures and bird life to a scuba diver, surfers and fishermen.

In addition to replacing the roof, the council rendered the toilet block wall and happily installed the artwork as part of a major revamp of the boat ramp, which now includes a new car park.

At the official mosaic unveiling on Friday, Mrs McKenzie said 26 community members were involved in the project, with about seven doing the bulk of the mosaic work.

She paid tribute to all those involved, including the Tomakin Community Association committee for dealing with the “red tape”, the council, Moorings IGA for its sponsorship and Rally for Recovery for helping out with tiles.

“It has been great fun to not only see the images emerge each week, but to see the growth of confidence  in people doing it.” Mrs McKenzie said.

“We learnt new technical skills – cutting tiles, gluing grouting and most importantly, we learnt things about ourselves  -  that we can be creative, and artistic, enthusiastic and triumphant.

“It is a real buzz to see it installed... It is a joy of the spirit within each of us that can be ignited by these kind of projects in the community – giving a purpose and finding achievement, and creating new friends.”

​The official opening was attended by more than 60 Tomakin community members as well as Mogo Public School students who contributed designs, Mayor Lindsay Brown, council’s infrastructure director Warren Sharpe and Tomakin Sports and Social Club CEO Glen Rice.

Cr Brown said it was a bit of a challenge to beautify a toilet but he was “lost for words” when he saw the result.

“What you’ve done here is outstanding,” Cr Brown said.

“It will be iconic for Tomakin.

“It makes me extremely proud to see when one of our communities works together to create things as this. Volunteers make it happen.”

The unveiling was followed by refreshments and finger food at the Tomakin Sports and Social Club.