Australia's next big thing unveiled in honour of conservation legend
A WA town unveils an 11.5-metre sculpture designed to inspire the next generation of conservationists and tourists.
An 11.5-meter sculpture of two endangered Carnaby's cockatoos has been unveiled in the WA town of Moora, marking a seven-year project by the Kerkhoff Carnaby Group. The sculptures aim to inspire conservation efforts and boost tourism in the wheatbelt town, located 180 kilometers north of Perth. Moora conservationist Wally Kerkhoff, who has spent over 40 years building and installing nesting hollows for the local Carnaby's population, is the namesake of the project.
The critically endangered birds can be found in Moora between July and February, breeding in the hollows of old salmon gums and wandoo trees. Rachel Walmsley, a community landcare officer, has worked with Kerkhoff for 14 years and described him as a "legend." Walmsley hopes the new installation will inspire the next generation of Carnaby's cockatoo conservers.
The project, which cost $540,000, received 74% of its funding from community donations. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising fuel prices, the Kerkhoff Group successfully completed the project through community support. The sculptures were driven from Queensland by Erich Juhren, a retired truck driver, and consist of a male and female figure named Wally and Mrs. Carnaby, respectively.
The sculptures are now expected to draw tourists to the region and benefit local businesses. Moora Shire President Ken Seymour expressed his enthusiasm for the new attraction and its potential to attract visitors to the region.
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