Faded no more: Cheerful Montville sign restored to former glory

The faded sign in June 2020.

From Cate Patterson

If you drive past 121 Western Ave, Montville, you’ll spot something special: the Mountain Fresh sign, glowing brightly and bringing smiles to all who see it. 

This cheerful sign, originally designed and commissioned by Des and Bev McCulloch for their farm shed as part of the Montville Centenary celebrations in 1987, has long been a symbol of the area’s farming heritage. The signwriter, S. Miller, was a Maleny local.

For years, the sign stood as a proud marker of the McCulloch’s trading name and the community’s shared history. 

But over time, it began to fade – until Collette Sheridan, a local homeowner who often drove past, noticed its weathered state. Collette felt the sign was part of Montville’s story and decided it deserved a new lease on life.

In 2020, with Bev and Des still the owners, Collette reached out to ask if any photos existed of the sign in its heyday. The answer was yes – and that was the beginning of its restoration journey. 

The revitalised sign, July 2026.

The work in progress, July 2026.

When the property changed hands in 2021, the new owners kindly agreed to let Collette proceed with her plans.

Thanks to Collette’s generosity, Graeme Brown from Signtown, Nambour, was able to restore the sign to its former brilliance. 

The result is a vibrant, happy sign once again, much to the delight of Bev McCulloch and the entire community.

“A job well done, Collette and Graeme. Many thanks,” Bev says, grateful to see a piece of Montville’s farming history shine anew.