ANYONE with a keen eye may have noticed the Kelpie in front of the Casterton Town Hall had a rocking new buddy last week – part of a larger movement promoting social connection, craftiness and getting outdoors.

Secret Stones Australia is a Facebook group encouraging people to paint and hide rocks in public places for others to find and share their own rock finds online.

It was started in 2019 by Casey Berkeley of South Australia, who said she painted rocks as a “therapeutic way to cheer me up”.

“I started hiding them in Rockhampton, Queensland and then moved down to SA and kept the group Australian wide,” she said.

“I personally love the joy and happiness it brings to people.”

She also said one of her own painted rocks had made it all the way to the Eiffel Tower in France.

The person who left the gift for the Town Hall Kelpie is likely to remain a mystery and it had disappeared by Friday last week.

The secret stone may still be lying around Casterton somewhere so be sure to keep an eye out.