A community artwork destined for Bemboka will be made possible through philanthropic donations from the timber industry based around Eden, after the chosen artwork exceeded the allocated budget.
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Council resolved in April, 2019 to allocate $10,000 from the 2019 Southern Phone dividend for the Acquisitive Sculpture Prize in the 2019/20 budget but the selected work which was displayed at Sculpture Bermagui, was priced at $18,000.
The chosen work, 'Landed' by Thomas Westra was the unanimous decision of the panel which included Cr Robyn Bain, council's gallery director, Iain Dawson, South East Arts executive director, Andrew Gray, and community members with arts expertise, Carolyn Killen (Ivy Hill Gallery, Wapengo) and Rob Evans (Artessence Gallery, Pambula).
When selecting a possible artwork, the panel had to consider the safety of the sculpture - was it vulnerable to theft, and public safety - were there sharp areas that could pose a risk to the public, Cr Bain explained.
"We knew this would be for Bemboka and it makes it easier when you have an idea of the community it's going in," Cr Bain said.
The eagle is so Bemboka, that's where the eagles soar and Bemboka deserves to have the best.
- Cr Robyn Bain
"When we saw 'Landing' we said oh wow, against the backdrop of the escarpment it would be just perfect.
"The problem was it was $8000 more than the budget and the only other sculpture was a stainless steel koala that looked like it was on a burnt stump which was not considered appropriate given what everyone had been though here," she said.
Cr Bain rang council's general manager Leanne Barnes, and said that she would commit to raising the shortfall.
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The money raised included donations from Stephen Pope of Pope Logging, Eden, Raymond and Nicole Innes of Cyneve Contracting, Stephen Cocks of Cocks Logging, Mal Higgins of Sapphire Coast Tree Services, Peter Mann of Kothes and Rob and Robyn Bain.
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With $4000 still to find, Cr Bain is confident she will get there.
"The eagle is so Bemboka, that's where the eagles soar and Bemboka deserves to have the best," Cr Bain said.
In the meantime the artist has to be paid and the full amount will be drawn from the Southern Phone dividend with funds raised in donations used to reimburse the Southern Phone dividend reserve.
Bemboka resident, John Cullen, be appointed to the advisory panel to assist in engaging with the local community and determining a suitable location for the sculpture.
A further report be brought back to council once a location has been selected.