The Shearer returns home - Mayoral Column 18 September 2019

On Tuesday, a sculpture with strong connections to the Snowy Monaro region was unveiled in Cooma’s Centennial Park. The famous Rix Wright sculpture, The Shearer, has returned home.

At the unveiling ceremony, members of the Wright family joined members of the region’s arts and culture community to celebrate the contribution Rix Wright has made to the Monaro.

Born and raised in Delegate, Rix created The Shearer at just 19 years of age. The Shearer’s unveiling is the culmination of many years of hard work from the community who helped fund its purchase. More than 40 families and businesses contributed to the purchase of the sculpture.

The sculpture represents the Monaro’s proud wool and agricultural industries. It reflects the good old days when a pound of wool cost just that, a pound.

The sculpture’s placement in Cooma now completes the Rix Wright triangle with further pieces located in Bombala and Delegate.

Council is proud of the local arts community and is committed to the development of the arts in the region. Public art plays a vital role in enlivening public spaces, creating civic pride and attracting cultural tourists.

The September Council Meeting will be held on Thursday in the Bombala Community Centre from 5pm. Council will consider the Snowy Monaro Youth Strategy, outlining the community’s priorities for supporting and developing our region’s youth.

I look forward to attending the next meeting of the Youth Council and getting to know our youth councillors better.

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting the Ambassador to Italy, Dr Greg French. We met with the Jindabyne Innovation Hub to discuss ways of strengthening the Snowy Mountains connection with Italy. It was nice to welcome the Ambassador and show off our beautiful region.

The Bombala community is encouraged to have their say on heavy vehicle movements through the town’s centre. Consultation is open with surveys able to be completed, either online or in hard copy, until Friday 27 September.

Please visit Your Say Snowy Monaro or drop by any Council office to collect a survey. Make sure your ideas are submitted so your feedback can be considered.

Councillor Peter Beer Mayor of Snowy Monaro Regional Council