Eltham residents can enjoy their area’s Aboriginal heritage and unique bushland through a sculpture made entirely from metal, that has now become the centrepiece of a revitalised gateway to the suburb.
Member for Eltham Vicki Ward recently met with local artist Maureen Faye-Chauhan and community members who have been working on Gunga winhanga warr bundha ba winhanga warr djurring, which in traditional Woi-wurrung language means ‘Take what you need and not what you greed’.
More than 2 metres tall and 5 meters wide, the steel sculpture has been lifted into place by crane north of Main Road, near the Diamond Creek Bridge.
Intricate detailing is a key feature of the new public artwork, in a design which plays with line, light and shadow. Now in place, the artwork will soon be illuminated at night with the capacity to change colours for significant events.
The artwork installation comes as landscaping and rehabilitation works continue this week on the Eltham Gateway project, which involves extensive planting of native vegetation on both sides of Main Road.
Over recent months crews have also been busy:
- laying new mulch
- building the new foundations for the sculpture
- installing electrical wiring that will connect to sculpture lighting.
The project is a collaboration between Nillumbik Shire Council, Major Road Projects Victoria, Eltham MP Vicki Ward and community group The Southern Gateway Renewal Group. The multi-dimensional twisted structure blends the shapes of the fallen twisted boughs of the manna gums, with that of a scarred tree form – created when First Nations people removed the bark for canoes, shields and other items. The artwork was realised through digital 3D modelling and is made of 52 steel facets with linear cut outs allowing for a delicate play of light and shadow.
The Eltham Gateway is being delivered as part of the Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade, which has upgraded 4 busy intersections between Leane Drive in Eltham North and Foote Street in Templestowe. The Fitzsimons Lane Upgrade was completed ahead of schedule in December 2022, with the Eltham Gateway ready for locals to enjoy shortly.
