Guir Wakul Gagil at Mrs York's Garden Reserve. Photo: PMHC.
IF you are out walking, follow a trail that includes our stunning public art installations.
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From the historic "Folly" at Windmill Hill to the seven majestic Birpai totems and beautiful steel sculpture "The Drip" by artist Peter Allison at the Cowarra Dam picnic area, there's plenty to enjoy along the way.
See how many you can find:
Folly at Windmill Hill, Port Macquarie.
Port Macquarie
- A device for orientating oneself with the universe: Stephen Killick, 2001. Gordon Street outside Port Macquarie Library. This sculpture was created by Stephen Killick in 2001. The images of the sphere represent the past, present and future and aspects of civilization than can be researched in the library. The sculpture depicts Port Macquarie as the centre of the universe.
- Harry's Spiral Path: Sue Bell, 2005. Shelly Beach, Port Macquarie. Locals made ceramic tiles telling stories of the late Harry Thomspon, artist and caretaker who made Shelly Beach his home from 1960 until his passing.
Harry's spiral path. Photo: PMHC.
- Mayor of Shelly Beach totem: Stephen Killick and Stephen King, 2005. Shelly Beach, Port Macquarie. A recreation of Harry's caravan as a picnic table and totem reflecting his unofficial title of mayor of Shelly Beach, Harry Thompson.
- Folly: Rick Reynolds, 2005. Windmill Hill Reserve, Port Macquarie. Folly (a Grecian garden feature) is a play on the original name of the area, being Gillman's Folly. The artwork represents the wooden shaft and stone grinding wheels of the windmill which once stood on the site.
- Quiver: Gregg Mitchell and Quentin Gore, 2020. Sovereign Hills Town Centre. This work was rolled and painted to reflect the beautiful aqua blue coastline and vibrant green rainforest and mountain ranges of the Port Macquarie-Hastings region. Quiver was a nice reference to the way leaves move on a tree, but it's a collection of surfboards, so it has double meaning.
Quiver at Sovereign Hills.
- Port Gateway: Rick Reynolds, 2012. Oxley Highway roundabout, off the Pacific Highway. Those taking a feng shui perspective on this one say the top cone captures the good energy from the universe and the bottom cone grounds it maintaining the wellbeing of the area. It's open to interpretation.
- Guir Wakul Gagil: Mrs York's Garden Reserve, Port Macquarie. The Together as One sculpture is a public contemporary art piece which is an interpretation of a significant historic event. On December 9, 1827 seven Aboriginal men rescued the crew of a small European pilot boat after a huge wave over turned it on the bar. This could be the first ever lifesaving incident recorded in the country.
- The Decomporsi: Roberto Giordani. A sculpture depicting a decaying shark has been installed along the new fisherman's wharf on the Port Macquarie foreshore at the Short Street car park end. The sculpture, named The Decomporsi, was created in 2018 at a masterclass led by internationally renowned artist, designer, and teacher Roberto Giordani. Blacksmith artists from the Port Macquarie-Hastings forged the elements, which have been connected through various joinery methods at Eveleigh Works metal studio in Sydney. Mr Giordani explained the artistic direction of the sculpture was forged by his love of the ocean and his appreciation of its delicate ecosystem, while alluding to his frustration towards the pollution of our seas and the culling of our sea life.
Spindrift, Bonny Hills. Photo: PMHC.
Bonny Hills
- Spindrift: Mary Tyquin, 2004. Ocean Drive, Bonny Hills overlooking Rainbow Beach. Mary Tyquin was inspired by the wind, the sea and its waves when she designed Spindrift. The sea coloured, three and half metre high stainless steel sculpture, consists of three pieces of steel, which combine in a kelp like manner to give protection from the southerlies during winter. A wooden seat is incorporated into the sculpture to contribute to the enjoyment of the spectacular view of Rainbow Beach all the way up the coast to Lighthouse Beach.
Floodtide. Photo: PMHC.
Camden Haven
- Whiting at Ostler Park, North Haven to the Shark at Bruce Porter Reserve, near Laurieton Sea Rescue. Rick Reynolds, 2006. These three sculptures by Rick Reynolds enhance the Camden Haven landscape while at the same time raising awareness in a humorous way, of the impacts of flooding in the area. The design includes fish sculptures of local flathead, whiting and shark which are not only symbolic of the sea change lifestyle of the area but to indicate the connection of what happens when water enter homes in times of flooding with flathead "coming through the door" and shark "coming through the window".
Shark, one of the Camden Haven floodmarkers. Photo: PMHC.
- Floodtide: Max Scott, 2004. Wharf near Laurieton United Services Club, Seymour Street. Local artist Max Scott, was inspired by an old photo of a ship built at this site. Floodtide, is made of local timber and employs traditional ship building methods. Carvings and relieved images reflecting Birpai totems, local history and scenic beauty. Timbers are identified by carved species names and past flood levels are marked on a piece of red mahogany nearby.
The Drip at Cowarra Dam.
Cowarra Dam
- Birpai totems, mosaic seats, ceramic tile artworks: Various artists. Off Sarah's Crescent, King Creek.
- The Drip: Peter Allison, 2005. Cowarra Dam.
Leah Bale, Rosalind Lowe and Angela Roberts are three of the artists who designed the Birpai totems on display at Cowarra Dam
Wauchope
- Werrikimbee Mural and sculptural rocks: Jo Davidson, Stephen Killick, Tertius, 1999. Bain Park, Wauchope. This dramatic mural, sculptural works and landscaping depict scenes from Werrikimbe National Park. The structure was created by Jo Davidson, Tertius and Stephen Killick in 1999 to encourage locals and tourists to visit the spectacular National Parks within the Greater Port Macquarie region.
- Wauchope Riverwalk Sculpture Trail: Yapang Bila Yapun.yapun is the Birpai name given to the new Wauchope Bicentenary Riverside Sculptural Trail, set on the Hastings River, winding its way along Rocks Ferry Reserve. The Walk will depict the history of Wauchope with a particular focus of life on the river and encompassing Aboriginal as well as colonial history creative interpretation, sculptures, and creative seating set with a minimalist approach within the idyllic foreshore location. The Trail presents a unique opportunity to tell community stories in a creative, respectful manner that would result in a legacy to the Wauchope community.
Werrikimbee Mural. Photo: PMHC.
- Zoetrope - sculpture installation, Wauchope Riverwalk Sculpture Trail: Stephen Gale - Zoetrope is trying to share with us a story; it starts 60,000 years or more ago, continuing uninterrupted to today and extending further into our shared future. Birpai elders speak this story in many voices. Each plate of this sculpture is a glimpse into the world and experience of our First Nations people. Much like the original spinning Zoetrope though, it is nothing more than a small glimmer of an immense and beautiful culture.
Zoetrope - sculpture installation, Wauchope Riverwalk Sculpture Trail by Stephen Gale.
- The Waymarker - sculpture installation, Wauchope Riverwalk Sculpture Trail: John Van Der Kolk - A chance pickup of some seeds while wandering the proposed Wauchope sculpture trail site was one of these occasions. The seeds in this case were acer pseudoplatanus. We called them helicopter seeds as kids and a find like this would have us climbing the nearest high thing in an attempt to re-launch them. Re-visiting the seeds as an artist they lose none of their fascination, and at their simplest are such a simple sculptural object beautifully balanced in both line, form volume and purpose. The evolution of its design serves one purpose only and that is to direct how the wind effects it in the few seconds between detaching from the tree to hitting the ground. The Waymarker suspends a stylised form of this seedpod off the ground allowing even the slightest breeze to change its direction.
Meeting at the River - sculpture installation, Wauchope Riverwalk Sculpture Trail by Antone Bruinsma
- Meeting at the River - sculpture installation, Wauchope Riverwalk Sculpture Trail: Antone Bruinsma - This sculpture installation represents the echoes of travellers on the river coming ashore in this place to meet and share their tales, reflect on their journey and look to the future. The stones symbolise upright canoes inspired by indigenous bark canoes fused with figurative elements and character, acknowledging the important role indigenous peoples have in the land and in society. The canoes pay homage to the venturing soul that dwells in all of us. Movement means growth in learning, understanding and the development of mind, body and spirit and while the canoe symbolises survival, travel and enjoyment, it is equally important to find suitable places to rest and to establish a more permanent settlement. Placing the canoes in an upright grouping, they offer shelter and suggest community.
Marine Intersection - Bridge Pylons mural, sculpture installation, Wauchope Riverwalk Sculpture Trail by Manning Daly Art.
- Marine Intersection - Bridge Pylons mural, sculpture installation, Wauchope Riverwalk Sculpture Trail: Manning Daly Art - Marine Intersection is a powerful symbol connecting place and Community, exploring layers of local history and natural landscape. From all approaches, this dynamic gateway art concept energizes the space providing an exciting sense of arrival and identity to the riverside Trail. Colourful contemporary design elements utilised for the mural investigate marine and terrestrial habitats through a dynamic process of abstraction engaging the viewers sense of perception. The art connects First Nations and European history, telling the story of this rich landscape and its people in an accessible and interesting way. From First Nations intimate knowledge of the landscape and its abundant resources to more recent recreation pursuits and timber industries.
Leaves of Kendall. Photo: PMHC.
Kendall
- Leaves of Kendall: Girikami Weissman, 2004. Kendall Road, Kendall. The three giant coloured gum leaves tell a symbolic story of Kendall's unique identity and its association with timber. It captures the Kendall National Violin Competition, poetry and railway history. This work by Giri Weissman makes a fitting entrance to the township as you travel from Kew. Located on the right hand side of the Kendall Bridge, Kendall Road.