Gunnedah Rainbow Serpent sculpture officially opened

The sculpture itself has been finished for a few months, but an official opening was unable to be held earlier due to tighter COVID-19 restrictions.

However, the project was finally realised on a formal level on Tuesday morning, where Shirley Long, Alison Cox, Janet Wanless, June Cox, Gloria Foley and Fiona Draper were all presented with a bouquet of flowers for their long-term commitment to the project.

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Cr Owen Hasler gave a speech outlining the project's history, and Janet Wanless and Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson also spoke.

Mr Anderson told the crowd that the project, the idea of which was borne long ago, gave a clear message that "when you want something done, give it to the girls".

"They are the ones that will absolutely make sure it happens," he said.

"Gunnedah and the people of this community and the Kamilaroi people and the stories for generations to come on the back of your perseverance, commitment, dedication, love for your country and culture ... this will tell the story.

"This will be here forever more. It is so beautiful, it is so deeply embedded in where we come from and the stories that will be told, particularly around the serpent."

The 9.2 metre sculpture in The Civic Centre's forecourt features 32 handcrafted mosaic tiles illustrating koalas, turtles, cockatoos, lizards, fish, Aboriginal tools, the hands of Ms Cox's grandchildren, and the Red Chief, among other images.

The Indigenous water feature project also won division A of the Leo Kelly Arts and Culture Awards in the Local Government Week Awards this year.

Work started on the $274, 258 project started in February and was carried out by specialist Waterforms International and local contractors.