Rotary Club of Gunnedah West members handed over another unique gift to the local community with the official opening of the Heritage Sculptures on Pensioners Hill this morning.
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The project came to completion six years after Rotary presented the rotunda gracing the skyline of Pensioners Hill to the town as a Sesquicentenary gift.
The sculpture project was officially opened by Andrew Garratt, Manager External Affairs, with BHP Billiton Caroona Coal Project, which provided $28,000 in funding as part of its community fund.
Mr Garratt said he had never before seen such an extraordinary project, which linked the past with the present.
“I congratulate Carl Merten and Joan Relke on their amazing work and acknowledge the voluntary contribution of the Rotary Club of Gunnedah West and the Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group who were the driving force in the beautification project,” Mr Garratt said.
“This project has created another attraction for tourists and provided a place where children can learn about the town’s past and how hard it was compared to today.”
Mr Garratt said BHP Billiton had been committed to communities in the region for the past six years with more than $3.9 million invested in local projects in Quirindi and Gunnedah to date.
Gunnedah Mayor Owen Hasler welcomed the 80-strong crowd and outlined a history of the project, which began as a seed of an idea envisioned by Gunnedah West Rotarian Hans Allgayer following a visit to the Living Desert sculptures at Broken Hill.
“Hans gained the support of his fellow Rotarians and they sourced the stones with the assistance of Gunnedah Shire Council,” Cr Hasler said.
“Meanwhile Rotarian Col Rosewell formulated an application to BHP Billiton for funding and they were all very excited when the bid was successful.”
Cr Hasler praised the amazing work of Uralla-based sculptors Carl Merten and Joan Relke over a lengthy period.
“Carl and Joan have created an outstanding cultural asset for the community over the past four years, which complements Carl’s previous Miner’s Memorial in Brock’s Court,” Cr Hasler said.
“Congratulations go to Carl and Joan for what they have created for our community and the many visitors to town.”
Cr Hasler also acknowledged the contribution of the indigenous community, with Mick Horne and Ron Long assisting the sculptors with the initial Red Chief sculpture.
“On the other three sculptures, we saw regular contributions by Hans Allgayer, Peter Worthington, Col Rosewell, Kerry Bee, Vince Tydd and others as they chipped away under the careful guidance of Carl and Joan.
“Finally, the Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group was able to assist by providing stones, plants and woodchips to create an attractive setting for the sculptures.
“The result of this joint effort is a magnificent community asset that typifies what can be achieved by community organisations and businesses working together to achieve an outcome.”
Cr Hasler also thanked BHP Billiton for its financial contribution, noting that the project would never have become a reality without this support.
“Congratulations go to Gunnedah West Rotary Club on the achievement of yet another stage in the development of Pensioners Hill,” he said.
“Your commitment to the overall rehabilitation and improvement of this area, as the premier panoramic viewing platform overlooking town, is very much appreciated.”
Cr Hasler also thanked council’s parks and gardens overseer John Henry and his team, who had taken “pride and ownership” in presenting the stony hill for public use.
The Welcome to Country was delivered by Wayne and Sam Griffiths on behalf of the Red Chief Aboriginal Land Council and the Aboriginal community, with Rotarian Hans Allgayer offering a vote of thanks to everyone involved in the project, before morning tea was served in the Rotary Rotunda.
