Mr Salmon crafted the four bench seats from locally sourced timber and steel and installed them on Sunday to minimise disruption to businesses.
He said within minutes of working on the second installation, he looked up to see a family already using the first seat he had installed across the road.
“The first seat was installed in front of the newsagent, and a family arrived after I moved across the road to start the second installation,” Mr Salmon said.
“I looked up after a few minutes to see them using the new seat, which had been installed among existing seating.
“It was really good to see it being used and interacted with straightaway.”
Mr Salmon designed the seats and built it them from locally sourced red gum, ironbark and steel.
The seats were installed outside Euroa newsagency, Thomsons Home Furnishers, Euroa Pharmacy and between Mawsons Bakery and the pop-up park.
“It was a very satisfying project as I was given licence to design and build the seating; it was quite an honour to get that creative licence,” Mr Salmon said.
The new outdoor seating was made possible after Strathbogie Shire Council received $250,000 Victorian Government Outdoor Dining Funding.
Strathbogie Shire Mayor Cr Chris Raeburn said the project had enhanced the landscape and amenities of Euroa’s main street while supporting local businesses.
“It’s increased the street’s safe spaces for the community to sit and enjoy while helping businesses during the recovery phase of the pandemic,” Cr Raeburn said.
“We look forward to seeing this new artistic amenity being enjoyed by residents, visitors and businesses.”
Euroa Chamber of Business and Commerce president Stephanie Swift said the chamber was grateful to receive the opportunity from Council to contribute to the project.
“The benches are a very exciting and aesthetically pleasing addition to the main street, providing necessary outdoor seating,” Mrs Swift said.
“I am super excited to see them being used; having watched the drawings and designs Hugh came up with come to life is awesome, and it’s such a bonus being able to use locally sourced materials.”
