Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley

Group Settlers Horse & Carriage Sculpture

Image source Margaret River Art Trails

Artist: Unknown

Asset Type: Sculpture, Metalwork

Year of Work: Unknown

Location: Pioneer Park

Provenance: Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Description: The Group Settlers’ story is one of extraordinary hard work and hardship.

In the years following World War I, Western Australia’s population centred largely around Perth and the Goldfields, and the state was in dire need of farmers. Meanwhile in England, post-war unemployment was sky high.

The two governments created the Group Settlement Scheme – a promise of farmland and opportunity in sunny Western Australia.

Nearly 6000 Brits arrived, full of hope but few with farming experience. Their task was to clear forests, fence off farms and build homes on their allotted plots. It was backbreaking work, and women toiled just as hard as the men.

A decade later and nearly half the settlers had abandoned their blocks, starving and in poverty.

This artwork commemorates the Group Settlers, their hardships and heartbreak.

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Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley

Free as a Cow

Image source Margaret River Art Trails

Artist: Ron Roozen

Asset Type: Sculpture

Year of Work: 2010

Location: Pioneer Park

Provenance: Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Description: The gleaming gold statue, nicknamed Rump on a Stump, is a tongue in cheek take on Free as a Bird, the once controversial sculpture at Laurance Wines (now Frui Momento at Cherubino).

It was created for the 2010 Cow Parade and skilfully erected in Pioneer Park, Cowaramup.

Cow Parade is the world’s largest public art event. Started in 1999 in Chicago, it has been held in all major cities around the world. It is a fundraising project whereby local artists buy a cow and paint or decorate it and display it in the city. The cows are auctioned after the event and all proceeds go to local charities.

Note: contrary to popular belief, Cowaramup is named after the purple crowned lorikeet – or Cowara in local Wadandi dialect – and not cows.

Funded by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River

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Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley

Banksia Sculpture

Image source Margaret River Art Trails

Artist: Alan Meyburgh

Asset Type: Sculpture, Metalwork

Year of Work: 2017

Location: Pioneer Park

Provenance: Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Description: Every component has a story, and the banksia nuts are sculpted from an old car bonnet supplied by Nocker in the local wrecking yard.

Inspired by the artist’s love of the environment, especially the walk trails that meander through bushland around Margaret River.

It’s a timely reminder to leave no trace and only take photos as you admire the native flora and fauna of the region.

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Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley

Cowara Bird

Image source Margaret River Art Trails

Artist: Alan Meyburgh

Asset Type: Sculpture

Year of Work: 2018

Location: Cowaramup Main Street

Provenance: Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Description: This sculpture celebrates the town of Cowaramup and its namesake, the cowara bird.

The idea was conceived by Nicola from the Black Sheep Deli (now closed) and sculptor Alan Meyburgh who wanted visitors to be aware that the town was named after a beautiful bird and not a cow.

Cowara is the name given by the Wadandi people for the purple-crowned lorikeet, a small bird found high in the crowns of trees in nearby forest.

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Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley

Amphitheatre Wall

Image source Margaret River Art Trails

Artist: Ian Dowling

Asset Type: Sculpture, Mosaic

Year of Work: 2001

Location: Margaret River Library, Fearn Avenue

Provenance: Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Description: The blue tiled wall curves through the Heritage Garden, marking the space between the Margaret River Community Centre and Library.

The tiles are ceramic, cast in moulds made from the original hand sculpted models.

The artist brought the patterns, colours and gentle wave of the ocean to the centre of town with this sculpted wall.

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Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley

Life-sized Wedge-tailed Eagle

Image source Margaret River Art Trails

Artist: Alan Meyburgh

Asset Type: Sculpture, Metalwork

Year of Work: Unknown

Location: Margaret River Main Street

Provenance: Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Description: The wedge tailed eagle is Australia’s largest bird of prey, and is often seen soaring high overhead, its diamond shaped tail and sheer size giving it away.

Once hunted to near extinction by farmers fearful of losing stock, this eagle is now protected and the population is flourishing.

Sculpted in recycled wood, steel, reo bar and wire, this eagle is swooping back to its nest and egg. An old clawfoot bath and electricity pole are reminiscent of rustic farms of yesteryear, maybe referencing the dangers once faced by large birds.

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Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley

Wave Wall

Image source Margaret River Art Trails

Artist: Kashmir Rouw

Asset Type: Sculpture

Year of Work: 2004

Location: Surfers Point, Prevelly

Provenance: Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Description: Intersecting two iconic coastal spots – the River Mouth and Mainbreak – Wave Wall symbolises a place of community, where many seek to connect, conquer and achieve their surfing nirvana, or to simply soak up the natural beauty of the region.

Inspired by the ocean and carved from local limestone, this bold piece marks the entry to Surfers Point.

It explores the concept of cantilevered stones protruding in three directions to form the fluid curves of a wave or perhaps the bow of a boat.

Funded by the Shire of Augusta Margaret River

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Layla

Image source Margaret River Art Trails

Artist: Russell Sheridan

Asset Type: Sculpture, Metalwork

Year of Work: 2013

Location: River Mouth, Prevelly

Provenance: Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Description: Layla the great granddaughter of surf god Huey cares for all sea creatures and watches over those who enter the water.

Layla swims the seas of the world and from time to time redirects lost surfers who have been pummelled into the depths below by large waves.

Surfers finding themselves alone, helpless, lost in bubbles and turbulence have been steered to the surface by Layla for one more breath of life.

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Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley

Dandelions

Image source Margaret River Art Trails

Artist: Paula Cristoffanini, Nigel Lullfitz

Asset Type: Sculpture, Metalwork

Year of Work: 2017

Location: Reuther Park

Provenance: Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Description: It’s easy to imagine the breeze catching this dandelion, launching hundreds of tiny seeds into the wind.

Sculpted by two local artists as part of the Shire of Augusta Margaret River’s Plinth program which created artworks to be displayed in parklands throughout the shire.

It was conceived to provide a series of strong formal vertical lines and organic shapes to complement the local environment. The sculptures reference a signifier, balloons, alliums and dandelions in an abstract way. These were chosen as symbols of a gathering point, of celebration, of the joy of gardening and food growing, of survival and even of magic.

The work consists of three elements of varying sizes placed in a group. Each puff ball is slightly different and the poles are bent to add to the naturalistic feel of the dandelions.

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Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley Shire of Augusta Margaret River Reece Harley

A Family Outing

Image source Margaret River Art Trails

Artist: Jordan Sprigg

Asset Type: Sculpture, Metalwork

Year of Work: 2021

Location: Childcare Centre, Fearn Avenue

Provenance: Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Description: Set outside a local childcare centre, this sculpture aptly depicts a western grey kangaroo mother taking her joey out for an afternoon hop. Who’s peeking out of her pouch?

Constructed from recycled scrap metal, retired tools and machinery parts sourced from the eastern wheatbelt.

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People of River: Wooditjup Bilya River

Image source Margaret River Art Trails

Artist: Miranda Aitken, Diane Hunter

Asset Type: Sculpture, Print, Poetry

Year of Work: 2014, reworked in 2020

Location: Margaret River HEART, Wallcliffe Road

Provenance: Shire of Augusta Margaret River

Description: This vibrant piece incorporates the contemplative words of local poet Miranda Aitken with the artwork background a print of an oil painting by Diane Hunter.

It is a lyric poem uniting all who have stood still by the Wooditjup Bilya (Margaret River) and its importance to the Wadandi people.

The artwork contains colours of the local environment – greens and blues with dashes of yellow.  The panels allow light to shine through evoking watery elements and movement.

In 2014 the poem was originally printed on a painted background into a single rectangle of digiglass and located at the corner of Bussell Highway and Churchill Avenue. In 2020, following the redevelopment of the Cultural Centre into Nala Bardip Mia – Margaret River HEART, the piece was reworked into five Perspex panels and relocated to the Margaret River HEART gardens.

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Shire of Manjimup Reece Harley Shire of Manjimup Reece Harley

Rail and Relics

Image source Shire of Manjimup

Artist: The Manjimup Men’s Shed

Asset Type: Sculpture

Year of Work: Unknown

Location: Graphite Rd, Manjimup WA

Provenance: Shire of Manjimup

Description: The Manjimup Men's Shed have undertaken restoration works on the rail carriages.
Sandblasting and repainting of the locomotive and steam hauler (Willamette) is complete.

The locomotive and steam hauler have been relocated to their new position on the disused rail corridor.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) donated some logs and earth works to complete the log landing formation.

Image source Michael Bateman

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Pemberton Artscape

Image source Tripadvisor

Artist: Pemberton Arts Group, Mark Grey-Smith, Joanna Box, Anna Czerkasow, Jeanette Evill, Lillian Johnson, Gwynneth Jefferyes, Suzanne Fellows, Renata Suckling, Marilyn Gibson, Debra Bettoni

Asset Type: Sculpture

Year of Work: 2013

Location: Pemberton Community Arts Hub, Balang Miya, Brockman St, Pemberton WA 6260

Provenance: Shire of Manjimup

Description: This major public art work, 80 metres in length, has been designed and created by local artists in partnership with the Shire of Manjimup. The inspiration for the concept is the original and beautiful forest landscape and the life within it. The Artscape emphasizes the synergy between the town and its environment.

It has been a community project led by the Pemberton Arts Group with the support of many people from the local district whose assistance has been greatly appreciated. The project which started in February 2011 was completed by May 2013.

The unique concept of dual screens with internal lighting was developed by Mark Grey-Smith. Joanna Box designed the dividing panels and the idea for the children’s work. Anna Czerkasow, PAG Chairperson, assisted throughout the project. Each artist brought their own style and focus to the forest theme. The structure was fabricated and installed by Mark Grey-Smith and Joel Lawrence.

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Communty Tiles

Image source Donna Williams

Artist: Donna Willaims, Taleah, Sienna Ugle, Violett Tompsett, Marline, Tyler Williams. Wanslea Playgroup, Sisters Stand Tall, SAC Ladies Group.

Asset Type: Sculpture

Year of Work: 2019

Location: Allison Hartman Gardens, Albany

Provenance: City of Albany

Description: Community Tiles by Donna Williams Noongar community artist, Taleah, Sienna Ugle,Violet Tompsett, Marline, and Tyler Williams. Other tiles completed by Wanslea playgroup and Sisters Stand Tall, SAC ladies group.

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Shire of Kulin Reece Harley Shire of Kulin Reece Harley

Tin Hourse Highway

Image source Stephanie Rae

Artist: Unknown

Asset Type: Sculpture

Year of Work: Unknown

Location: Lake Grace Road, east of the town of Kulin.

Provenance: Shire of Kulin

Description:  The Tin Horse ‘Highway’ is a 15 kilometre stretch of road in Western Australia which heads east from the town of Kulin out to the Kulin Bush Races Track at Jilakin Rock. The roads official name is the Gorge Rock -Lake Grace Road.

Whilst the majority of tin horses are found on the Tin Horse Highway, you will also find many equally impressive and imaginative tin horses along other roads in the Kulin Shire and in Kulin town. All tin horses in the region contribute to the Tin Horse Highway story and reflect the vibrant, good humoured community who have built them.

There are currently over 70 tin horses displayed on the Tin Horse Highway, in the town site of Kulin and along other roads to Kulin.

Image source Shire of Kulin

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Shire of Mundaring Reece Harley Shire of Mundaring Reece Harley

Re-Leaf

Image source Shire of Mundaring

Artist: Chris Dolbel

Asset Type: Sculpture

Year of Work: 2022

Location: Gidgegannup Recreation Club

Provenance: Shire of Mundaring

Description: The ever-evolving rusty patina & pitted skin of the metal resembles the variegated veins of a Eucalyptus leaf. Individually they show the beauty found in every leaf. Together they are a story of re-growth, signifying the shared & differentiated beauty of the Australian flora that emerges out of the bushfire ashes. 

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