Renowned Sculpture Artist, Andrew Whitehead was in Coolamon recently to install his work ‘For Keeps’ in Cowabbie Street.

The work took almost twelve months to complete and was commissioned by Coolamon Shire Council following receipt of grant funding from the Federal Government for such projects.

The funding is also to be used to pay for a further commission work by Mr Whitehead for the Ganmain community which will depict a farmer stooking hay which will be positioned in front of the Haystack display in Ford Street. It is expected this work will be completed by the end of 2024.

“For Keeps” shows three children playing marbles and is inspired by the paintings of country towns in Australia by D’arcy Doyle. Council has received considerable feedback from visitors and tourists on the welcoming nature of the town’s main street scape and the work reflects Coolamon as a family friendly community.

The Coolamon and District History Group has also installed a display of local memorabilia at Coolamon’s Up-to-Date Store. The collection of items have been donated to the group for safekeeping and provide a wonderful snapshot of local history in the Coolamon District.

The display will remain in the window until early April and the group hopes that this will be the first of many such displays a and exhibitions in the Up-to-Date Store focusing on the collections of local residents. 

This article appeared in the Narrandera Argus, 29 February 2024.