Hepburn Shire Street and Public Art
Hepburn Shire has a range of art in public places. These commissioned artworks by highly respected artists respond creatively to the spaces and places, people and culture of the region and enhance the Shire.
Clunes
Club Hotel Garden Sculptures
The hotel is closed but you can see the excellent sculptures through the gate.
Location: 34 Fraser St, Clunes
“Lunaris” by Joanne Mott (2018)
“Lunaris” considers the site’s relationship with the moon. To experience the artwork, audiences are invited to explore both the sculptural installation, and augmented reality imagery of the moon using a smart phone or other device. Drawing on cues from the local environment, such as its geological uniqueness and social history, Lunaris combines art forms, both old and new, from the sculpting of earthworks, which dates back to Neolithic times, to Augmented Reality (AR), a new media technology. By accessing the Augmented Reality application, viewers can explore the moon with their smart device, translating the circular paved arena into a moonscape alive with lunar layers.
Note: There are currently some issues with the Augmented Reality app and it is not functional.
Location: Clunes Skate Park, 81A Bailey Street, Clunes
Creswick
Creswick Hub "Community" Sculpture by Earl Ingleby (2006)
A gift to the citizens of Creswick from the "Creswick Men's Friendship Shed". "Community" celebrates the ordinary citizens of Creswick who have worked together to make our town what it is today. The work was carved from red gum timbers salvaged from the Jubilee Bandstand during the 2002 renovations. It was conceived and designed by local artist Earl Ingleby and finished with the assistance of the members of the "Creswick Men's Friendship Shed" and local businesses.
Location: 68 Albert Street, Creswick
"My Dearest" by by Mark Cuthbertson
“My Dearest” is made from concrete and polyurethane and resembles a nostalgic cup-and-ball child’s toy. The work references the hardship and loss experienced by families during the gold rush era. “My Dearest” presents a symbolic gesture, evoking memories of the past by referencing a sentimental item or cherished keep sake to provoke reflections on connection and loss.
Location: Calambeen Park, Cushing Avenue, Creswick
Daylesford
Boy with the Thorn Sculpture
The "Boy with the Thorn" (often called Spinario) is a classical bronze statue of a shepherd boy extracting a thorn from his foot. At the Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens in Daylesford, this specific cast was donated by the family of the late, renowned interior designer Stuart Rattle in his memory, as it previously graced his famous local property, Musk Farm.
Location: Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, Central Springs Road, Daylesford
Wombat Sculpture by Miriam Porter (2013)
Miriam Porter's 'Wombat', a solid redgum wombat sculpture, is a symbol of the Wombat Hill Botanical Gardens.
Location: Wombat Hill Botanic Gardens, Central Springs Road, Daylesford
"Cottage" by Jason Waterhouse (2015)
“Cottage” is made of decorative, hand-wrought iron inspired by patterns seen around Daylesford. It draws on the architecture of miners' cottages during the gold rush era and seeks to remind us of modern Daylesford’s historical foundations.
Location: Near Central Springs carpark at Lake Daylesford, Daylesford
Glenlyon
“Drop” by Yu Fang Chi (2023)
Crafted from stainless steel, brass and concrete, Drop responds to the precious water resource of the Glenlyon Dam, mineral springs and the river. It is installed at the edge of the dam, and pays homage to the natural beauty of the area and its contextual relationship with water. It sits beautifully in the surrounding bush environment.
The plinth at the base of the work features inlaid brass circles and the Dja Dja Wurrung word ‘wanyarram’ (which means water), acknowledging and paying respect to the Dja Dja Wurrung as the Traditional Owners of the land and waters.
It’s a short walk from the entry road, in a location that also allows the work to be viewed across the water. The work reflects the artist’s focus on the natural environment.
Location: Glenlyon Community Dam, 39 Dysart Street, Glenlyon
Hepburn Springs
Memory of Place by Petrus Spronk (2008)
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A large scale outdoor sculpture made up of a bronze chair with an open book, a bronze shadow and six basalt story rocks which celebrates the history of the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve.
The sculpture's story: The chair, at the entrance to the bathhouse, tells us about a local man, John Howell, who used to welcome visitors, open the gate, and take two bob for a fee, then return to his book. (I felt this to be a poetic moment which became an inspiration for the sculpture.) He was an avid reader, which is shown by the book on the chair.
The book on the chair features a short essay about how the Reserve came into being. The story was written by local historian Clare Gervasoni and was inscribed in the book by local poet Peter O'Mara.
The shadow from the chair, cast by Chris Howell, represents his father. (The shadow also represents those who have contributed to the history of the park and have passed on.)
The nearby rock, inscribed with the word ‘Listen’, invites us to do just that. Listen to the various stories the park will reveal to you by taking your time, being still, appreciating the quietness of the trees, and listening.
Generations ago, a time well before television, the park used to be a social centre for the local community and visitors alike. Many weekend activities such as dances, singing competitions, performances and other events provided entertainment.
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The series of five story rocks located within the Reserve tell us, in various anecdotes, about some of the historical social activities experienced in the Reserve. This goes back to the nineteen-twenties and thirties, as told by old-time locals Bill McEwin, Laurie Sullivan, and a younger generation, Merv Keating and Bonnie Howell (who represents three generations with both her mother Vera and her daughter Lutea).
Location: Within Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve, 3 Mineral Springs Reserve Road, Hepburn Springs VIC 3460
Bunjil Sculpture by Russell Petherbridge (2012)
Large scale steel sculpture depicting 'Bunjil', the dreamtime totem of the Hepburn Pool, an eagle in flight.
The Bunjil sculpture emerged from discussions with local indigneous Elders, as a dreamtime totem to the Sacred Pool at Hepburn Springs. The original idea was to create the 3 totems of the area...the Bunjil, The Crow and The Bat. The sculpture was designed to overlook the pool and reflect its powerful image in the water.
Location: Former Hepburn Pool, 4 The Poolway, Hepburn Springs
Trentham
"Inter-stelae” by Michael Needham (2017)
Inter-stelae is a monument to cultural presence within an ancient landscape. It acknowledges that the site on which it sits is imbued with layers of cultural history and memory. As a memorial, it allows for a re-imagining of the natural environment and invites an appreciation of a land that is always bigger and older than its occupants.
Location: Stony Creek Reserve, Park Street, Trentham (located about 100m down the path)
Dancing a Jig with Dad by Michael Needham (2017)
"Dad" is the internationally renowned metal, wood and stone sculptor, Matthew Harding (31/03/1964 - 22/02/2018). Tragically, Matthew ended his life in February 2018, leaving behind his beloved partner and their four young children.
The jigs in this installation were crafted by Matthew and used in the formation of some of his major sculptures. Matthew lived and worked in Trentham and was an active member of our community. As well as acknowledging the high regard with which the local community held Matthew, Dancing a Jig with Dad is to serve as a reminder of the high rate of suicide among men, especially in regional areas. We must look out for those who are suffering but feel unable to ask for help.
Location: 1 High Street, Trentham
