Artist Jimmi Buscombe completed the installation of his new mural as part of Warrnambool City Council's Let's Get Neighbourly program.

Buscombe was keen to get involved after hearing Deakin University student Thiru Somasundara's struggle to connect with the community after moving from Sri Lanka to Warrnambool two years ago.

Thiru was the participant selected to have an artwork created in his neighbourhood.

"I was so lonely and upset and I couldn't connect with anybody in the neighbourhood," Mr Somasundara said.

"It was my second year in Australia and Warrnambool and I didn't have many friends. I couldn't build my relationships gradually and properly with people at university or at other places because of all the lockdowns.

"At the Let's Get Neighbourly program, I got advice on how to approach neighbours. This is entirely a new world for me. I think I learned a lot and it helped me to have positive interactions with my neighbours. I know them now and I feel like I've been accepted."

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Buscombe said residents helped dictate the design.

"Everyone was really enthusiastic. It was just a fun, cohesive thing and we were able to tie a lot of their ideas together," he said.

"The plants on the mural are inspired by the nearby Warrnambool Community Garden. The cow is a reference to Derby Street's past as a farm, as well as a nod to Thiru's PhD research on reducing methane emissions in cattle by feeding them seaweed.

"The raven is a common sight in the area, and if you look closely, you can see a strawberry in its mouth... perhaps from the community garden."

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