It was the late 80s when the vision of a Gateway to Mullumbimby was realised at Uncle Toms with the installation of the peace poles and a shingled rotunda symbolic of the local Mount Chincogan.
Richard Mordaunt, who brought the vision to life, is once again working to breathe life back into the Mullumbimby Gateway site with the help of round two stronger community funding.
‘It is an iconic public space of historic and community significance at the entrance to Mullumbimby,’ said Richard.
Created in 1988, it was a Bicentennial Project funded by the NSW government, Byron Shire Council and the Mullumbimby Community.
‘We will repair and restore two carved sculptures 7.6m, 5.2m and commission a new 3.6 m sculpture. The sculptures showcase this regions artistic skills, environmental awareness and cultural heritage and depict the animal and plant life of this region.’
Taking in new developments in technology once the sculptures are repaired and re-painted they will be illuminated at night with solar LED’s.
‘The Gateway speaks to a new era; it is a cultural space where you can feel part of a new community,’ continued Richard.
‘It honours the healing of the landscape and is much loved by this community.
‘We will re-stand the circle of stones that will be placed around the sculptures. We will also remake the Mullumbimby sign, add new plantings to the Gateway and create new pathways to the rotunda, which will contain documentation of the making and meaning of the gateway, a map of the caldera to Mullumbimby and a list of the gateway sponsors.’
Anyone interested in getting involved in the project can call Richard Mordaunt on 0407 466 461 or email [email protected]
