The platypus that survived the floods

 

Tragically Southern parts of Australia are experiencing flash flooding and people and animals are at risk. Platypuses populations were said to be greatly affected in the recent Queensland and Northern New South Wales floods (link for more information here). The town I visited is called Albury and it's located along the mighty Murray River on the border of New South Wales Australia.  The Murray River is an iconic river, which is the life blood of the wheat-sheep belt produce region of Australia. Albury is located on Wiradjuri Country. Albury (NSW) and its twin city Wodonga (Victoria) also experienced flooding. At the time I visited (October 2022) some of the sculptures I had planned to visit alongside the Murray River were in-accessible, as the trail to them were under water.  However I still did manage to see some sculptures. Check out Australian Public tART great posts on Albury street art here also.

 

The newly created Crossing place trail follows the southern bank of the Murray river in Wodonga Victoria. The trail features a selection of sculptures by First Nations artists, Patricia Cerminara, Treahna Hamm and Tamara Murray and Michael Bogie. The platypus sculpture by Wiradjuiri artist Michael Bogie was to be the highlight of my trip however due to the trail being flooded I could only get a few photos of the sculpture from afar. Still the sculpture looked lovely and because of the flooding it appeared to be like a real life platypus floating on the surface of the billabong, surrounded by reeds and vegetation. I plan to go back when the weather is better to get some better photos of the platypus sculpture. Watch this video here where Michael talks more about his creative process and meaning behind his artwork. 

Another beautiful sculpture walk around the Murray river is the Yindyamarra Sculpture walk. This features 15 sculptures (link for more information here) by first nations artists celebrating Wiradjuri culture and nature. The artwork entitled Leaving Our Mark, a collection of wonderful first nations art features a platypus too. These artworks were created by Curtis Reid, Jarret Trewin, Harry Dennis, Leroy Eggmolesse, Shane Charles and installed in 2014. Below are some highlights from the Yindyamarra Sculpture walk.

Artist: Peter Ingram, Guguburra's 2021

 

Leaving Our Mark (2014)

Leaving Our Mark (2014)

Leaving Our Mark (2014)

Leaving Our Mark (2014)

Leaving Our Mark (2014)

Ruth Davys Bogong Moth Migration (2014)

Kianna Edwards Title: Goanna

Artists: Daniel Clegg, Robyn Heckenberg, John Murray, Aunty Edna Stewart, Aunty Muriel Williams Title:Teaming Life of Milawa Billa (2014)

The Murray river is home to a collection of animals the most famous is the Murray cod (Maccullochella peelii). It is the largest freshwater fish in Australia and an iconic apex predator of the river ecosystem. A beautiful bike rack mural in the design of a Murray cod can be found at the Gateway village in Wodonga. The mural was designed in collaboration with local First nations youth and artist Vicki Luke in 2004. Another ode to the Murray river is a lovely mural entitled "Mighty Murray Mural" (1981). The mural was a community artwork working with artists Sherryl Smith and Peter Day. It features a relief sculpture highlighting the history of the town and its connection to the Murray River. It is located on the Albury council building in QEII Square. 

 

 

Milinda Hamilton's love of the environment and the iconic fauna of the Murray River are reflected in her artworks on display at Wodonga Waves local swimming pool. She wanted to showcase the freshwater environment and focus on a "few of the locals" including Eastern long neck turtle, Murray cod and the platypus. Her work is on display at Wodonga waves until July 2023.

Other artworks that show the history of the town, First nations culture and the unique flora and fauna of the Murray River are located around the Gateway village Byrne Lagoon. The sculptures entitled "Bridges and Boundaries" (2007) are 16 rendered brick panels featuring stainless steel panels. This sculptures were created by First Nations Artist Eddie "Kookaburra" Kneebone (1947-2005). Eddie was a Bangerang man of the Bangerang nation, he was a self taught artist and educator who worked with and inspired young First Nations people to continue and connect through culture. He was awarded the Pax Christi International Peace Prize in 2001, for his work in reconciliation of bringing young Australians together. He work and legacy lives on with the naming of the Eddie Kookaburra Kneebone gallery in Wodonga. Read more about Eddie's history here

West Albury Wetlands is a great place to spot birds, rakali, turtles and platypus. Below are some highlights of the fauna I saw.

 

Below is more footage from my trip