Powerful tribute to Mount Evelyn animals

A sculpture of the Powerful Owl has been crafted from the trunk of a tree in the Mount Evelyn Recreation Reserve, thanks to Council’s Grants for Community.

Yarra Ranges-based chainsaw carver, Rob Bast, created a sculpture of a Powerful Owl, which can be found in the Mount Evelyn area, earlier this year.

Mount Evelyn Environmental Protection and Progress Association’s Clare Worsnop said the sculpture featured the animals who called the forest home, while the base featured animals and insects that live in the nearby Olinda Creek, such as platypus.

“While the sculpture itself represents the forest and the animals that live in the forest, it’s important to have the water element, also,” Ms Worsnop said.

“From a piece of wood into this, the transition is enormous – we’re thrilled with it and thrilled with the response we’re getting. It’s all been very positive.”

Cr Tim Heenan and Clare Worsnop at the sculpture.

Billanook Ward Councillor, Tim Heenan, congratulated the group on their successful project.

“Standing here with the Powerful Owl in the sculpture, many people will see something they’ll never see in person – I’ve lived in Mount Evelyn for 33 years and it took me maybe nine years to see my first Powerful Owl,” Cr Heenan said.

“They’re a very rare and endangered bird. That, in itself, is a good educational tool for people, to come and learn more and, for a moment, to connect with what exists here beside the beautiful sporting grounds.”

The project was funded through Council’s Grants for Community.

Rob Bast has competed in chainsaw carving competitions around the world, with a number of first-place prizes, and has created public artworks at Healesville Sanctuary.

Applications for Yarra Ranges Council’s Grants for Community 2020 funding open on 1 June, with information and preparation workshops to be held throughout May and June.

For more information, visit Council's Grants page.