Place of Reflection - Walcha Cemetery

Artist : Gordon Hookey

Material : Local Hardwood & Basalt

Year Created : 2002

Artist's Location : Melbourne

Type : Sculpture

In 2012 Walcha Council was successful in their application for a grant to upgrade a section of land adjacent to the Aboriginal Portion of the Walcha General Cemetery under the NSW Government’s Community Building Partnerships Program.

The project was a collaborative effort of Amaroo Local Aboriginal Land Council, Jobs Australia Enterprises, local artists, Indigenous artists, specialist trades, community groups and organisations, in conjunction with Walcha Council.

The project was successful in encouraging local innovation, ownership and effort to strengthen community relationships.

The program commenced with the area being surveyed using non-destructive radar to identify un-marked burial sites. Based on these findings and consultation with the Aboriginal Community plans were developed for the location of works and a proposed design that had cultural significance.

Jobs Australia Enterprises as part of the WFD Job Active program were able to provide participants to work on the project.

Local artists were engaged to install special features such as wood sculptures, rock walls and polished basalt that highlight the reflection area. There were many people, particularly locals that were consulted on all matters who thankfully gave their knowledge and time.

The project has strengthened relations between groups and individuals in our community; it has provided further knowledge and understanding of the culture and history of the Aboriginal people in our district.

These two monuments were placed as a memorial to the many unmarked Aboriginal graves at the Cemetery and an active act of reconciliation within the Walcha community.

Unveiled by respected elders of the local Aboriginal community; Mrs Shirley Davidson, Mrs Beryl Green & Mrs Sue Green.

Also, on location (not in this image) is a large round shape with a discus-like surface curvature, paved with local basalt rocks – a ground-imbedded sculpture depicting the shell of a turtle, along with four curved garden beds of native plantings forming the ‘limbs’ of the turtle.

The ‘turtles’ shell’ has a small waterspout at its peak & center providing both a fountain for the sculpture and a self-nurturing watering mechanism for its ‘limbs’.

A truly beautiful place of reflection.

THE ARTIST:

An Australian aboriginal artist from the Waanyi people, Gordon was born in Cloncurry, QLD in 1961.

For more information on the artists follow the link below.