Again, over 100 community members selected items from the specialist River Torrens flora and fauna chart. It could be a fish, a cockatoo or a tortoise. At this point in the River Torrens, the platypus once thrived. It is not surprising then that we chose a central mosaic platypus as an iconic totem for the Torrens, hoping of course that this creature will return to the river one day, when waters are cleaner and wetlands are recreated. The launch of the Mosaic Stepping Stones was accompanied by music and an environmental history and mystery tour as people walked along the banks of the Torrens. Community participation was the most important aspect of the launch. For this public art project, the mayors of the two councils, local MP Paul Caica, federal MP Steve Georganos, and employees from the Department for Environment and Water, including natural resources management, were invited. We also wanted a picnic area at this site but that did not eventuate; however, we have not given up on this happening one day. View the Torrens River Mosaic Biodiversity Pathway video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdWP-HV6EO0
Mosaic Stepping Stones – view from the river Poles Apart 2016-17
WACRA approached Charles Sturt Council for a Discretionary Ward Allowance to decorate the Stobie poles in Main Street near Henley Square, from Seaview Road to East Terrace. The project was called Poles Apart. Instead of painting on the poles, we had boards made the width of the poles, and these were painted and attached to the poles. On the side facing west towards the sea we painted ocean scenes and sea creatures, and facing east we displayed flora and fauna of the Adelaide Hills, relative to the Mount Lofty Ranges. We used the old council depot on Military Road as a workshop. About 60 community members were involved, four of those from Main Street. Full credit goes to the director of the community 95
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