COUNCILLOR Reg Kidd will continue his push for a bronze life-sized sculpture of Banjo Paterson despite the council committing to an Akubra-shaped pergola to commemorate the poet.
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He criticised the move to go ahead with the pergola without consultation from the working party the council gave $5000 to, to organise a week of activities to celebrate Paterson’s 150th birthday.
“If funds were limited, what would ratepayers prefer? A life-sized statue or an Akubra shelter,” he said.
“I think we really need the bronze statue ... the style of hat he had wasn’t an Akubra, but Akubra later brought one out called the Banjo,” he said.
Like Cr Chris Gryllis, Cr Kidd has started his own investigation into his idea for the sculpture and also has the support of the working party.
Sculptor Anthony Chandler, the designer of the bronze bust of Paterson on Ophir Road, has told Cr Kidd it would cost up to $60,000 but the final price would be negotiable. Cr Gryllis said the bronze sculpture would be something the council could “quite easily” add, but it would depend on costs.
“Nothing is stopping us later on if some generous donor wants to put something up,” he said.
Cr Kidd said Emmaville cottage would be the main attraction and would require ongoing funding support from the council, as would the range of activities proposed for the poet’s birthday.
Mayor John Davis said the pergola would be done first and the council would look other things, such as Cr Kidd’s proposal, “as we go”.
