Featuring 50 one-metre high koala sculptures hand painted and decorated by local and interstate artists, the trail will span from the coast to the hinterland, and will be free for anyone to take part.
As well as showcasing local art and creativity, the trail will highlight the importance of environmental sustainability. Port Macquarie, known as the koala capital of Australia, is home to the world’s only Koala Hospital and one of the largest coastal koala populations. Billabong Zoo has an accredited international koala-breeding program.
Country singer John Williamson, who is a patron of the Koala Hospital, is painting a special koala to be located at the facility.
Australian artist Sophie Corcoran will paint a koala sculpture with Parisian scenes while in France, before sending it home to Cassegrain Winery. Wine-maker John Cassegrain is well-known for his French heritage.
Executive Director of Hello Koalas, Margret Meagher said, “Public art is a wonderful way to engage with a broad range of members within the community, from childhood to older age and from diverse backgrounds. It encourages interaction, participation and contribution."
The Hello Koalas Sculpture Project was developed by Arts and Health Australia, a Port Macquarie based national organisation and is inspired by the highly successful Larkin with Toads public art project in Hull UK in 2010.
To learn more about the Trail go to www.hellokoalas.com or like the Hello Koalas Sculpture Project on Facebook.
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