On Sunday 12 August, Council unveiled an exciting new public art sculpture in Garibaldi.
A public art piece has been one of the Grenville-Garibaldi community’s aspirations for some time, and was identified in their last three Community Plans. They sought for something that would be located at the Garibaldi Hall, increase a sense of community pride, celebrate the rich history of the Hall, and create an attractive and welcoming space for the community and visitors.
The event included a special component, where the community placed items that represent 2018 (such as coins and catalogues) into a time-capsule that will be sealed into the sculpture. The community will unseal this in the future to compare eras.
For some historical context, the Garibaldi Hall was once the local school. In 1915, a boy called William Alban May wrote to the Education Department, requesting permission to be the head-teacher of this small school because it was often left without one. This was written during the First World War and William was just 15 years old. To his delight, the Department responded with a ‘YES’.
The community felt strongly that the sculpture should creatively capture a young William Alban May as well as the letter he wrote more than 100 years ago. Understanding the community’s wishes, Council, in collaboration with Grenville/Garibaldi Community Planning Coordinators and the Garibaldi Hall Committee, went about bringing the community’s vision to life.
Jacinta Leitch, artist, was appointed to create the sculpture, and the community is very pleased with her creation.
Councillor Joanne Gilbert said in her speech to the community, "I am delighted to join you today to celebrate this fantastic and creative piece of public art, inspired by a historic moment in time within the Garibaldi community. Congratulations to everyone involved with this project, and thank you to Jacinta, for sharing your creativity with us and helping the community realise their aspiration for a meaningful piece of art."