"The 1st Universalist Sculpture" Clive Murray- White, 1983, steel & mixed media
The Barongarook Creek Reserve Sculpture Park was developed from the thought by Cr D.M. Kluke that a rural provincial city could sponsor a sculpture park similar to the world famous sculpture gardens of Europe, particularly Antwerp and Lousisianna Museum, Denmark, Wenkinpark, Switzerland and Milles Garde, Lake Cartan, Hererddsklippan Swedan.
The Sculpture Park was nominated as the council first priority and was successful in gaining a grant from the Local and regional Government committee of Victoria's 150th anniversary celebrations 1984-85 The project was also assisted by the Visual arts Board of the Australia Council, the Federal Government's art funding and advisory body.
Officially opened by Cr Winsome McCaughey, B.A of the City of Melbourne May 26th 1985
Project Advisor :Mr David Wilson Dip. Art (National Gallery School)
Sculptures on display 1984-85 1. "The 1st Universalist Sculpture" Clive Murray-White, 1983, Steel and mixed media 2."Libra" Lenton Parr, 1977 Welded steel 3. "Cycle" Paul Hopmeier* mild steel, hot aluminium and paint 4. "Building" Bruce Armstrong, 1984* redgum 5. "Torso" Elizabeth Klose, 1978 Black Cement 6. "Blanche" Lenton Parr 1965* Welded Steel 7. "Matar" Lenton Parr 1981* Welded steel 8. "It can be fun learning to play Lacrosse" Clive Murray-White 1976 steel 9. "Monument for peace" Brain Paulusz, stone 10. "Tristram" Paul Hopmeier, oiled steel 11. "Swimmer Entering the water" Guy Boyd 1983 Bronze life size 12. "Tower" David Wilson 1977, Steel * 13. "Sea Cat" Bruce Armstrong 1984, red gum 14 "Marker" David Wilson 1977, Steel 15. "T'Pieces" Clive Murray-White, Steel * 16. "Under Dusk" David Wilson 1983, forged and welded steel 17. "Wild World" Peter Randall, 1984, Steel, concrete and sandstone. *on loan
"Isaac's View" Elizabeth Klose was created and installed in 1989 It was unveiled by Governor David McCaughey in 1989 after the initial launch of the sculpture park by Cr Winsome McCaughey in 1985
At this stage of our investigation we believe 5 of the original works remain in the park - Sculptures 1, 12, 14, 10, 16, and that other sculptures were added later, while still others were moved to more prominent locations in the town- COPACC and the Blue Water Fitness Centre. If you have information we would love to hear from you - contact us The news articles below that suggest the sculptures that were added at a later date may have been made by James Butt, Jim McCann and Peter Asel and students from Colac High School but are unable to find any more information apart from these articles below
Conversion of brochure to interactive website sponsored by CHART in a project called Sculpting our Stories
The original leaflet can be downloaded below was designed by Mrs Lynette Parrott
The Sculpture Park has an interesting history with Sculptures being moved and new sculptures added over time. Thanks to Rosemary Richardson & Colac History Centre for the news articles below. Click on the image to read the information.