by Bonnie Collings
Strung together on 85 metres of rope, between large trees and a barbeque shelter in Civic Park Warragul, about 300 double-sided flags adorned with messages of hope flutter in the breeze.
They're part of the "Flags of Hope" art installation, created by local artists Sue Acheson, Russell Lilford and Jessie McLennan.
Based on the concept of the Buddhist prayer flags, the intention of the installation is to spread messages of positivity and hope across the world.
The installation was recently unveiled at Civic Park Warragul. Artists who contributed to the project, Baw Baw Shire councillors and council staff were all in attendance.

Sue Acheson explained the idea for the installation came about in response to negativity and sadness around the world.
"The idea for the flags was in response to a deep sorrow that we felt about what was happening in the world," she said.
"Everything that's happening with wars, with political intent, self-absorption and climate change and the environment, greed - all these things that are making people depressed. If we can just spark just a little bit of hope into a few people, then the project has been successful."
Sue and Russell developed the idea of Flags of Hope during their "Love in Translation" exhibition in Yarram in February.
"Sue thought it would have been good to have flags out the front and in the entrance as a continuation of the exhibition," Russell said. "It was a great idea, but I thought it was a bigger idea in itself."
From there, they developed the idea into a larger project, involving local artists.
In early May, the pair approached Baw Baw Arts Alliance president Jessie McLennan who helped get arts alliance artists on board to create the flags.
"The Baw Baw Arts Alliance is very supportive, particularly of any community art projects," Jessie said. "Because we lease the VRI Hall, that was specifically how the BBAA was able to support the Flags of Hope."
Utilising the VRI Hall art space, Sue, Russell and Jessie held communal flag creation sessions with arts alliance members every two weeks.
"(The sessions) were really enjoyable and valuable, I think for everybody that came along," Sue said.
"It was interesting working (on the project) because I found I had some quite good revelations about hope," Russell said. "Hope is something that you have to surrender to. Its opposite is despair, and when you surrender to that, it's devastating, but when you surrender to hope it actually builds more hope, and brings community together."
Sue said she was rapt when Baw Baw Shire came on board to display the installation in Civic Park Warragul.
"I think it's fabulous," Sue said. "I was really happy when Melissa Forlano and the rest of the shire got on board with it and everybody was very enthusiastic."
With the flags now on display, Sue, Russell and Jessie hoped people would spread the word to friends.
"I hope that they will tell their friends about it and from that other groups will start up their own little Flags of Hope projects, so we'd had little satellites all over the country, all over the world, who knows!" Sue said.
"It's really nice to do something locally but thinking it might have some effect globally," Russell said.
"The creating of it has been really positive and now it's moving into the next phase which is the viewing and experiencing," Jessie said.
The front and back of each flag have been photographed so the designs can be preserved and remembered.
At the unveiling, deputy mayor Tricia Jones acknowledged the "thriving arts community" within the shire and the impact their work has on the community.
"Work such as this bring us all together and create inspiring and joyful places for us to engage and take pride in," Cr Jones said.
"This work also spreads the message that when times are difficult and confusing, that we are not alone. I want to thank Sue, Russell and Jessie, very, very much for bringing this beautiful and inspiring work together and for helping us all to find hope."
The Flags of Hope installation will be on display in Warragul Civic Park until September.