COMMUNITY SPIRIT SOARS HIGH
BY helen carpenter, new south wales-BASED MEDIA STRINGER
Australian regional communities have faced many challenges over the past few years including the flooding rains of 2017, followed by the worst drought in history 2018-2020 (which is ongoing in many regions) then the horrific bushfires of 2019-20 and the continuing impact of the global wide COVID 19 pandemic. These trying and uncertain times have put communities under social and economic pressure which will have a ripple effect well into the future. However, regional Australians are well placed to work through these hard times as they are resilient and work to support each collectively.
My own community of Grenfell, in regional New South Wales, is very active in driving community projects that bring people together.
Off the back of the very successful Community Poppy project held in 2018 commemorating the Centenary of Armistice our community launched another project which has again demonstrated our community strength and resilience in action.
The Grenfell Garden Club met to ideate a new Community based project, which could replicate the positive experience of the Community Poppy project and the result was the installation of public art in the form of an amazing sculpture. They commissioned local artist, sculptor and Garden Club member, Kathleen McCue to design and sculpt a piece of Public Art to be installed in the Community.
The brief for the sculpture was that the work was to reflect and symbolize community spirit. The Garden Club used funds raised from the Open Garden program to fund the project and the gesture was designed to raise spirits and create an artistic impact on arrival to the Grenfell township along the Mid-Western Highway. It’s also a celebration of locals and a welcoming gesture for travelers visiting the town.
For the first stage of the project Kathleen designed a Wedge-tailed eagle sculpture which is perched on the edge of its nest. Wedge-tailed eagles are regularly seen soaring on the thermals above the Shire and are a totem for community spirit and strength.
The Wedge-tailed eagle was installed and unveiled in August 2019 by Weddin Shire Mayor Mark Liebich , Garden Club President Chris Lobb, Artist Kathleen McCue and local bird expert Jen Graham. The unveiling was attended by Garden Club members and interested members of the local community.
The final stage of this Public Art project involved the design and fabrication of three Gazania stalks with open flower heads, as the Gazania is the unofficial flower of the Weddin Shire. Launched at the end of June the Gazania sculpture, reflects the beautiful Gazanias seen flowering on the footpaths, nature strips, in gardens around the township of Grenfell and in other locations in the Weddin shire. The installation will be complemented by an array of suitable plants within the sculpture garden.
Community spirit shines through in regional towns, even during times of adversity and uncertainty, this sculpture and Public Art installation is testament to that; an ever-present reminder of the strength and soul within our communities.
